Sara dismisses drug, POGO claims as ‘noise’

Vice President Sara Duterte has broken her silence to deny allegations made by detained kidnapping suspect Ramil Madriaga, who claims to be her former aide and has accused her of receiving money from illegal drugs and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Palad also said they have asked for the help of the National Bureau of Investigation to undertake digital forensic examinations of Madriaga’s phones to prove his and Duterte’s conversations about the alleged money drops.

It was also Palad who confirmed in interviews the authenticity of the affidavit issued by Madriaga while in detention, which DAILY TRIBUNE used as part of the basis in breaking the story. Madriaga was photographed holding the same affidavit.

‘Misleading’

Philippine law does not prohibit a detained person from executing an affidavit. The Rules of Court recognize that detention alone does not affect legal capacity or competency, provided the statement is made voluntarily and properly sworn before an authorized officer.

In her statement, Duterte did not question that Madriaga issued the document but assailed the allegations made in it.

She dismissed as misleading the photographs submitted by Madriaga showing him with her, saying these were taken during public events and do not establish any personal or professional link.

“These images do not support his allegations and merely show that he was present as part of an election campaign group,” she said.

Duterte stressed that Madriaga has failed to present proof to support his claims.

“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,” she added.

She suggested that Madriaga’s statements were driven by self-interest, saying he appeared to be acting out of desperation to secure his release from detention.

Fund transfer

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

Madriaga, who has described himself as Duterte’s “bagman,” accused the Vice President and her close associates of receiving money allegedly linked to illegal drugs and POGOs through covert cash deliveries over several years.

He claimed to have witnessed funds being funneled to groups supporting Duterte’s political rise.

Amid the controversy, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte came to his sister’s defense, criticizing what he described as a double standard in public discourse.

“When a conviction has already been affirmed by the courts, there is suddenly sympathy, context, and nonchalance — as if the judgment were only a minor detail,” he said.

“But when it comes to Vice President Sara Duterte, who has no case, no evidence, and no court decision against her, the attacks are extreme. It becomes trial by publicity. She is declared guilty outright, without restraint.”

He added that those already convicted appear to receive more understanding than those merely accused, so long as the surname Duterte is involved.

‘Hypocrisy’

“It seems easier to forgive someone who has already been convicted than someone who is merely being accused, so long as the name Duterte is involved. Let’s call it what it is — a double standard,” he said.

Paolo Duterte said sympathy should not replace accountability and accusations should not take the place of proof.

“If those who are guilty are allowed to pass while those with no case are torn apart in public, then the problem is not the Dutertes. The problem is hypocrisy,” he said.

In a statement, Duterte said she has no personal relationship with Madriaga and has never given him any instructions.

“I do not have a personal relationship with Ramil Madriaga, nor have I ever given him instructions of any kind,” she said.

She also denied claims that she visited Madriaga at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, where he is detained.

“I have never visited him in prison, nor have I spoken to him about anything at any time,” Duterte said.                      

One of Madriaga’s lawyers, Raymund Palad, had insisted that the Vice President visited Madriaga twice while he was in detention to stop him from speaking out against her.

He said the CCTV footage at Camp Bagong Diwa can attest to the alleged visits of Duterte. Madriaga’s lawyers have also written Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to investigate Duterte’s visits.