Palace sees need to look into criminal complaints vs. VP Sara Duterte
DispatchToday
MANILA – Malacañang said Friday the criminal complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte should be properly investigated.
The statement followed the filing of criminal complaints, including plunder, graft, bribery and malversation against the Vice President before the Office of the Ombudsman, in connection with Duterte’s alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.
“If the complainants have a basis to file a case against the Vice President, it depends on them. If they have attached supporting evidence, it should be thoroughly investigated,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
“If they have attached supporting evidence, it should be thoroughly investigated),” she added and cited reports of Duterte’s late-night visits to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) at Camp Bagong Diwa, which the Department of the Interior and Local Government could provide clarification on.
On claims that BJMP detainee Ramil Madriaga was allegedly told not to speak against the Dutertes over their supposed links to drug lords and Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), Castro said it would be better to ask the Vice President directly for comment.
“We have read about, and heard and we saw what Ramil Madriaga said, allegedly acting as a bagman for the Vice President, claiming that POGO operators and drug lords financed her campaign. The Palaces’s stance is that it would be better to ask the Vice President for comment on this issue,” she said in response to an inquiry by a media reporter.
Meanwhile, House Human Rights Committee chairman, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante, has urged the Ombudsman and relevant committees to investigate sworn allegations that Duterte’s 2021-2022 campaign efforts were funded by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and drug dealers.
The allegations were made in a sworn affidavit by Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga, described as a trusted aide of Duterte. Abante said the statements were detailed and serious enough to merit a full review.
Madriaga claimed involvement in multiple cash deliveries, including supposed handoffs at a Timog comedy bar where then-OVP spokesperson Reynold Munsayac was allegedly present, transactions at the Office of the Ombudsman parking area and SM Megamall, deliveries using a white Toyota Vios car said to be carrying up to P80 million, and repeated drop-offs at a residence in Jordan Plains, Novaliches.
He also alleged organizing the ISIP Pilipinas network and working with individuals linked to the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group – claims that those named have publicly denied.
Abante said any inquiry should rely on documents, verified timelines, and sworn testimonies presented openly so the public can assess both the accusations and denials. “If untrue, this will also come out during the probe” he said. (With PNA)
MANILA – Malacañang said Friday the criminal complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte should be properly investigated.
The statement followed the filing of criminal complaints, including plunder, graft, bribery and malversation against the Vice President before the Office of the Ombudsman, in connection with Duterte’s alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.
“If the complainants have a basis to file a case against the Vice President, it depends on them. If they have attached supporting evidence, it should be thoroughly investigated,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
“If they have attached supporting evidence, it should be thoroughly investigated),” she added and cited reports of Duterte’s late-night visits to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) at Camp Bagong Diwa, which the Department of the Interior and Local Government could provide clarification on.
On claims that BJMP detainee Ramil Madriaga was allegedly told not to speak against the Dutertes over their supposed links to drug lords and Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), Castro said it would be better to ask the Vice President directly for comment.
“We have read about, and heard and we saw what Ramil Madriaga said, allegedly acting as a bagman for the Vice President, claiming that POGO operators and drug lords financed her campaign. The Palaces’s stance is that it would be better to ask the Vice President for comment on this issue,” she said in response to an inquiry by a media reporter.
Meanwhile, House Human Rights Committee chairman, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante, has urged the Ombudsman and relevant committees to investigate sworn allegations that Duterte’s 2021-2022 campaign efforts were funded by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and drug dealers.
The allegations were made in a sworn affidavit by Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga, described as a trusted aide of Duterte. Abante said the statements were detailed and serious enough to merit a full review.
Madriaga claimed involvement in multiple cash deliveries, including supposed handoffs at a Timog comedy bar where then-OVP spokesperson Reynold Munsayac was allegedly present, transactions at the Office of the Ombudsman parking area and SM Megamall, deliveries using a white Toyota Vios car said to be carrying up to P80 million, and repeated drop-offs at a residence in Jordan Plains, Novaliches.
He also alleged organizing the ISIP Pilipinas network and working with individuals linked to the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group – claims that those named have publicly denied.
Abante said any inquiry should rely on documents, verified timelines, and sworn testimonies presented openly so the public can assess both the accusations and denials. “If untrue, this will also come out during the probe” he said. (With PNA)
