Vice President Sara Duterte tried to stop Ramil Madriaga from revealing his expose, according to his lawyer.

Atty. Raymond Palad, Madriaga's lawyer, told reporters at a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday that Duterte visited Madriaga at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Annex 2 in Bicutan, Taguig City, on several occasions, detailing the dates and reasons for the visits.

Palad said the Vice President’s first attempt was to persuade Madriaga to hold off on his expose, promising in return to work for the dismissal of his client’s case.

The second attempt came in the middle of the night on 19 October, but failed after Madriaga refused to talk to Duterte.

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

He added that his client’s own will was the reason why Madriaga came forward to "say his piece."

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

Palad said Madriaga had long planned to reveal his expose and in March 2024 wrote to Senator Riza Hontiveros about what he knew of the Vice President. However, the senator never gave him an opportunity to speak.

Madriaga, according to Palad, also wrote the QuadComm in Congress, but his concerns were disregarded.

To support these claims, Palad said they submitted Madriaga’s mobile phone for forensic examination, which reportedly shows evidence against the Vice President, including deliveries he made and the presence of Chinese militia in Mariveles, Bataan—particularly the vast land allegedly grabbed by then-Palace Spokesman Harry Roque, which became the reason Madriaga is now in jail.

Palad said it was Madriaga’s efforts to help the residents of that farmland, which went to Roque, that led to his imprisonment.

He sought help from then-Davao Mayor Sara Duterte to aid the residents but was ignored because of her closeness to Roque.

This was followed by what Palad described as “concocted charges of kidnapping” that ultimately landed Madriaga in jail.