Lawyer claims VP Sara tried to stop Madriaga exposé

Vice President Sara Duterte allegedly attempted to stop Ramil Madriaga from pursuing his exposé, according to Madriaga’s lawyer, who detailed the claim during a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday.

Atty. Raymond Palad said Duterte made two attempts to persuade Madriaga to withhold his exposé during visits to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Annex 2 in Bicutan, Taguig City.

Palad said the first attempt involved persuading Madriaga to stop the exposé in exchange for Duterte’s alleged offer to work toward the dismissal of his case. The second attempt, he said, took place late at night on October 19 but failed after Madriaga refused to speak with the Vice President.

“Marami rin feelers from individuals talking to his family to convinced him not to go on with his expose’,” Palad said.

He added that Madriaga’s “own will” prompted him to come forward and “say his piece.”

In his affidavit, Madriaga alleged that drug dealers and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators were funding the campaign Inday Sara Duterte Is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas.

Palad said Madriaga had long planned to reveal his exposé and wrote Senator Risa Hontiveros in March 2024 regarding what he claimed to know about the Vice President. However, Palad said Madriaga was not given the opportunity to speak with the senator.

According to Palad, Madriaga also wrote to the Quad Committee in Congress but was ignored.

To support these claims, Palad said they submitted Madriaga’s mobile phone for forensic examination, which allegedly contains evidence against the Vice President, including records of deliveries and information involving Chinese militia activity in Mariveles, Bataan. Palad also linked the matter to land allegedly acquired by former Palace spokesperson Harry Roque.

Palad said Madriaga’s efforts to assist residents affected by the disputed farmland eventually led to his imprisonment. He claimed Madriaga sought help from then Davao City mayor Sara Duterte but was allegedly ignored due to her closeness to Roque.

This, Palad said, was followed by what he described as fabricated kidnapping charges that resulted in Madriaga’s detention.