Sara Duterte denies claims of alleged former aide, rejects ‘bagman’ accusations

Vice President Sara Duterte has broken her silence to deny allegations made by Ramil Madriaga, whom she said she has no personal relationship with, despite his claim that he was her former aide.

"I do not have a personal relationship with Ramil Madriaga, nor have I ever given him instructions of any kind," Duterte said in a statement.

She also dismissed claims that she visited Madriaga at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, where he is being detained on a kidnapping-for-ransom charge.

"I have never visited him in prison, nor have I spoken to him about anything at any time," she said.

Duterte further said that the photographs Madriaga submitted to support his allegations were taken during public events and do not establish any personal connection.

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

"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," the Vice President added.

Duterte said Madriaga appears to be acting out of desperation in an 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.

Madriaga, who has described himself as Duterte’s “bagman,” has accused the Vice President and her close associates of receiving money from illegal drugs and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) through alleged covert cash deliveries spanning several years and two administrations.

The detained man also alleged that he witnessed funds from POGO and drug-linked financiers being funneled to groups supporting Duterte’s political rise.