MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte allegedly visited her former aide Ramil Madriaga twice in detention this year in an attempt to prevent him from exposing damaging information about her, according to Madriaga’s lawyer Raymund Palad. The revelation, made during a press conference on December 18, 2025, adds fuel to ongoing plunder and graft probes over Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Palad detailed the visits to Madriaga’s cell at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City:
- First Visit: Date unclear (no calendars in detention), but confirmed by sources.
- Second Visit: October 19, 2025—one day before Palad’s own visit to his client.
During one encounter, Duterte reportedly offered to help resolve Madriaga’s pending kidnapping case in exchange for his silence. “I am positive that these visits happened,” Palad asserted, citing corroborating sources.
Madriaga, detained on kidnapping charges, recently submitted an affidavit to the Ombudsman alleging he acted as Duterte’s “bagman,” delivering large cash sums (including duffel bags) on her orders during her time as Davao mayor and vice president. He also claimed her 2022 campaign received funding from POGOs and drug-linked sources.
Duterte’s camp has not directly responded to the visit claims, previously dismissing related allegations as “recycled” and politically motivated. The Ombudsman is probing the confidential funds complaints, with Madriaga’s testimony potentially key.
This development intensifies scrutiny on Duterte amid her rift with the Marcos administration, turning a detained insider’s accusations into a high-stakes political flashpoint.
Alleged Visits Snapshot:
| Visit | Date/Details | Alleged Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| First | Undated (2025) | Attempt to stop exposé |
| Second | October 19, 2025 | Offer help with case for silence |