VP Duterte files second perjury complaint against ex-'bagman'

Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday filed a second perjury complaint against Ramil Madriaga before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office, accusing him of making false statements in a supplemental affidavit that was submitted as evidence in an impeachment complaint against her.

The complaint, filed under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, concerns Madriaga’s supplemental affidavit dated 11 April and runs to about 1,000 pages, said Duterte counsel Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr.

“This exhaustive effort was technically unnecessary given the absurd and unverifiable nature of Madriaga’s claims, and the fact that the details and few ‘evidence’ he supplied immediately and publicly collapsed under the slightest scrutiny,” Panelo said in a statement.

It includes Duterte’s sworn testimony, statements from 12 corroborating witnesses, government documents and certifications, as well as messages, photographs and public records that her camp says contradict Madriaga’s statements.

Panelo said the complaint was filed to ensure Madriaga would be held accountable under the law and to challenge the impeachment proceedings.

“It had to be done to ensure that Madriaga is held accountable under the law, and to unmask the malicious, baseless, and desperate character of the impeachment effort against the Vice President and of those behind it,” he said.

Madriaga, who has described himself as a former aide and “bagman” of Duterte, has made allegations involving cash deliveries and political operations linked to the Duterte family. He also testified before a House committee examining impeachment complaints against Duterte.

He told lawmakers in an April House hearing that P125 million in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President had been disposed of in less than 24 hours, a claim that conflicted with records showing the funds were used over an 11-day period.

Madriaga has also made allegations about the funding of political activities linked to Duterte.

The Vice President previously filed a perjury complaint against Madriaga, also accusing him of making false statements under oath.

The DAILY TRIBUNE has reached out to Madriaga’s camp for comment on the complaint and the allegations made by Duterte’s legal team. No response had been received as of press time.###