Sara: Madriaga’s accusations ‘nothing but noise’

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December 23, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday dismissed accusations made by Ramil Madriaga, who claims to be her bagman, saying these were “nothing more than noise” meant to undermine her possible bid for the presidency in the 2028 elections.

“Mr. Madriaga has offered no proof – no documents, no corroboration – only accusations. Bare allegations, no matter how loudly repeated, amount to nothing more than noise,” Duterte said in a statement.

The Vice President said the former military agent is facing serious criminal charges and has a prior criminal record, suggesting his allegations may be a desperate attempt to secure his release from detention.

“He is now disseminating false statements to government authorities as part of a concerted effort to obstruct and undermine my possible candidacy for president,” she said.

Duterte also denied having any personal encounters with Madriaga.

“I do not have a personal relationship with Ramil Madriaga, nor have I ever given him instructions of any kind. I have never visited him in prison, nor have I spoken to him about anything at any time,” she said.

Duterte further said the photographs Madriaga reportedly submitted were taken during public events she attended and were being misrepresented.

In a sworn affidavit submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman on Dec. 16, Madriaga alleged that Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and drug lords financed Duterte’s campaign in May 2022.

He also sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a forensic examination and data backup of three cellular phones, currently in the custody of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 21, which he claimed contain communications with the Vice President and records of alleged cash deliveries made upon her instructions.

Raymund Palad, one of Madriaga’s lawyers, alleged that Duterte visited his client twice this year at his detention facility in Taguig City to dissuade him from testifying against her.

Palad also disputed Duterate’s denial of any links to Madriaga during the 2022 campaign.

The law firm representing the detained Madriaga said video footage circulated during the 2025 campaign shows Duterte being received by Madriaga in Matnog, Sorsogon on Feb. 6, 2022.

In a message to The STAR, Palad Lauron Palad & Te Law Firm said the video – initially posted on Duterte’s campaign page and later taken down – depicts her being welcomed by Madriaga and the group Isip Pilipinas during her Mindanao-to-Luzon campaign caravan. The firm added that another version of the video has since surfaced.

The law firm maintained that the video clearly shows Madriaga’s role in Duterte’s campaign reception and said this should be considered in assessing his claims.

Madriaga is detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Annex 2 in Taguig City in connection with a pending kidnapping case. — Mark Ernest Villeza