Davao-based artist disputes Madriaga claim on painting given to VP Sara

A Davao-based artist has disputed claims by Ramil Madriaga that he gifted a painting to Vice President Sara Duterte, saying she was the one who personally gave the artwork.

According to Mark Salazar’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, Madriaga—an alleged former aide and bagman of Duterte—presented photos during a House Committee on Justice hearing on Tuesday to show his ties with the vice president.

Among these was a screenshot of a video conference with Duterte, where a painting—allegedly gifted by Madriaga—was seen in the background.

“During our video conference, I noticed the painting I personally gave her as a gift,” Madriaga said.

During questioning by lawmakers, Madriaga also claimed the artwork was created by a student he supported.

“Nag-regalo po ako sa kanya ng isang painting na ginawa ng isang scholar ko sa Laguna… Pinagawa ko po ‘yan at kinuha ng Presidential Security Group sa bahay sa Laguna,” he said.

(I gave her a painting made by one of my scholars in Laguna… I commissioned it, and the Presidential Security Group picked it up from a house in Laguna.)

However, artist Tanya Gaisano Lee said she personally handed the painting to Duterte.

“I gifted this painting to VP Sara when she was mayor of Davao City in 2021,” Lee said in an Instagram story.

“Anything stated otherwise is false,” she added.

Lee also refuted Madriaga’s claim about the artwork’s origin.

“I am not a scholar. I am not from Laguna. I am from Davao: Life is HERE,” she said.

The painting was also seen in a Facebook post by Duterte in 2021.

GMA News has sought comment from Madriaga’s camp.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/MCG, GMA News