Palace no comment on Sara’s alleged night visits to Madriaga

Malacañang on Friday declined to comment on reports that Vice President Sara Duterte allegedly visited detainee Ramil Madriaga at Camp Bagong Diwa multiple times at night.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said the Palace has not received official updates on the alleged visits and suggested inquiries be directed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“Sa ngayon ay wala pa po ring naibibigay sa atin kung anong update patungkol po diyan. At kung mayroon man pong ganitong instance, siguro po ay alamin po natin mula sa DILG,” Castro said.

(We have not been given any updates on this. If there is such an instance, perhaps it’s best to verify with the DILG.)

Ramon Tulfo, in a Facebook post, earlier claimed that Madriaga sought to silence whistleblowers regarding the Dutertes’ alleged connections with drug lords and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

Madriaga reportedly served as a bagman for the Vice President.

Asked for comment, Castro said it would be better to ask the Vice President herself to confirm or deny the claims.

Castro also addressed separate complaints filed against Duterte at the Office of the Ombudsman, which include allegations of plunder, graft, malversation, and misuse of confidential funds. She said any legal action would depend on the merits of the complaint and the evidence submitted.

“Kung ito naman po ay mayroon silang basehan para masampahan ng kaso ang Bise Presidente, depende na po iyan sa mga complainants. Kung ano po ang isinasaad sa kanilang complaint, kung nakapag-attach sila ng kanilang mga ebidensiya, mas maganda pong maimbestigahan ito nang mabuti,” Castro said.

(If there is a valid basis for filing a case against the Vice President, that is up to the complainants. If they attached evidence, it should be properly investigated.)

In a notarized affidavit dated 29 November 2025, Madriaga alleged he witnessed money being funneled from POGO operators and drug-linked financiers to groups “supporting Duterte’s political rise.”

Among these groups, he said, was ISIP Pilipinas, a campaign vehicle he claimed to have formed in 2020 ahead of Duterte’s anticipated presidential run.

Madriaga also alleged that duffel bags of cash, reportedly ranging between P33 million and P35 million each, were picked up at several locations, including The Gate in Pampanga, Vertis North and Seda Hotel in Quezon City, and the Grand Hyatt in Bonifacio Global City.

He further claimed that in December 2022, two officers of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG), Col. Dennis Nolasco and Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, instructed him to distribute the cash.