Spokesman says Sara Duterte won't resign, adds Gracioso is Madriaga 2.0

The emergence of dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. who linked Vice President Sara Duterte to alleged cash deliveries is part of harassment efforts against the official, her spokesman said on Monday.

“Alam niyang panggigipit lang ‘to, alam niyang kapalit ito ng paglaban sa mali. Alam naming nagsisinungaling ito, Madriaga 2.0 ito, so the more he talks, the more details he supplies, the better for VP Sara. The easier we can refute his lies,” Atty. Paolo Panelo said in Marisol Abdurahman's report on "24 Oras."

(She knows this is pure harassment, and she knows this comes with standing up against wrongdoing. We know he is lying—he is Madriaga 2.0—so the more he talks and the more details he provides, the better for VP Sara. It makes it easier for us to refute his lies.)

“One million percent bogus na ito kasi at marami po kaming pruweba na itong si Ramil Madriaga ay ‘di nagsasabi ng totoo, never po siyang nagtrabaho para kay VP Sara,” he added.

(This is one million percent bogus because we have plenty of proof that Ramil Madriaga is not telling the truth. He never worked for VP Sara.)

Gracioso is an ex-cop who claimed that he delivered suitcases of money to the Vice President, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.

Madriaga also identified himself as an alleged bagman and former aide of Sara Duterte.

Duterte’s camp said they are simply waiting for Gracioso’s sworn affidavit to examine the details he provided, including specific dates and locations.

“Pagka-nabigyan na ng kopya ang kampo ni VP Sara nitong sinumpaang salaysay ni Mr. Gracioso at nakapagbigay na ng detalye, eh ‘yun din po ang magiging ending nito—mababasura din po,” the spokesperson said.

(Once VP Sara's camp receives a copy of Mr. Gracioso's affidavit and the details he provided, this will end the same way—it will also be thrown out.)

Won't resign

Amid the allegations against her, Panelo said Duterte will not resign from her office.

Panelo said Duterte will never voluntarily step down from her post, citing the trust of the voters who elected her.

“Hindi po, dahil binoto siya ng tao, pinagkatiwalaan siya ng tao. So mamamalagi siya sa puwesto. Gawin na nila ang lahat, hindi siya bababang boluntaryo sa puwesto,” Panelo said.

(No, because the people voted for her and trusted her. So she will remain in office. They can do whatever they want, but she will not voluntarily step down.)

He added that Duterte’s plans to run for the presidency in the 2028 national elections remain certain.

Gracioso

Gracioso is an ex-cop who claimed that he delivered suitcases of money to the Vice President, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.

Madriaga also identified himself as an alleged bagman and former aide of Sara Duterte.

Duterte’s camp said they are simply waiting for Gracioso’s sworn affidavit to examine the details he provided, including specific dates and locations.

“Pagka-nabigyan na ng kopya ang kampo ni VP Sara nitong sinumpaang salaysay ni Mr. Gracioso at nakapagbigay na ng detalye, eh ‘yun din po ang magiging ending nito—mababasura din po,” the spokesperson said.

(Once VP Sara's camp receives a copy of Mr. Gracioso's affidavit and the details he provided, this will end the same way—it will also be thrown out.)

Charter change

Sara Duterte expressed grave concern over the administration's alleged plans for Charter Change to extend the President's term, according to Panelo.

“Talagang grave ang kaniyang concern dito dahil nakatanggap siya ng impormasyon na, dagdag lang sa alam na niya mula pa nu'ng 2023, nagbabalak talaga ang Administrasyong Marcos na baguhin ang Saligang Batas at pahabain ang termino ng Pangulo,” Panelo said.

(Her concern about this is truly grave because she received information—adding to what she has known since 2023—that the Marcos administration is indeed planning to amend the Constitution and extend the President's term.)

Duterte had previously accused the administration of being “desperate” to bring her down and block the 2028 national election, in which she plans to run for the presidency.

Panelo brought up the Senate impeachment court's recent decision to lower the voting threshold required to convict Duterte in her trial.

He pointed out that if senators could alter the rules of the Senate impeachment court, the administration could do the same to the Philippine Constitution.

“Kasi ang kailangan nating tandaan dito is ‘yung pagbabago ng Saligang Batas [o] charter change, gayundin po ang arithmetic do'n eh, ganon din ‘yung formula,” Panelo said.

(Because what we need to remember here is that amending the Constitution or charter change follows the same arithmetic and formula.)

“Kung nabago nila dito sa impeachment, posibleng ganon din ang gagawin nila dito sa charter change kasi pwede dahil dito eh ituloy-tuloy na ito sa pagbabago ng Saligang Batas,“ he added.

(If they were able to change it here in the impeachment, they may do the same with charter change, as this could pave the way for them to push through with amending the Constitution.) –Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/NB, GMA News