MANILA, Philippines — In a stunning development for the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, a key witness testified on Tuesday that ₱125 million in confidential funds was not spent over 11 days as previously reported, but was actually distributed in less than 24 hours.
Ramil Madriaga, a self-described “bagman” currently in detention for an unrelated kidnapping case, delivered a supplemental affidavit to the House committee on justice. His testimony detailed a whirlwind 24-hour operation on December 20, 2022, involving the delivery of massive sums of cash to various locations across Metro Manila and Laguna.
Madriaga corrected previous findings from the Commission on Audit (COA) and remarks from Rep. Stella Quimbo, who had both flagged the spending of ₱125 million in 11 days as unusually fast.
“I personally disposed of the money in less than 24 hours,” Madriaga told the panel, explaining that the funds were divided into four large duffle bags, each containing roughly ₱30 million to ₱35 million.
According to the testimony, the operation began with a call from Vice President Duterte herself, who reportedly told Madriaga it was time to “return a favor” (bawi tayo sa kanila).
- Cabuyao, Laguna: The first delivery was made to an unnamed politician at a meeting spot beside a dark SUV.
- Quezon City (Nightstrip Comedy Bar): Madriaga claims he met former OVP spokesperson Reynold Munsayac at a comedy bar frequently visited by law graduates to hand over another portion of the cash.
- Office of the Ombudsman: The final two bags were allegedly left in a red Mazda sedan at the Ombudsman’s parking lot. Madriaga described a “usual practice” where keys were left on top of the front left wheel for the recipient to retrieve the vehicle and the money.
The testimony adds significant weight to the “betrayal of public trust” and “misuse of confidential funds” allegations within the current impeachment complaints.
- Perjury Complaint: In response to previous allegations from Madriaga, Vice President Duterte filed a perjury complaint against him last month, labeling him a member of a kidnap-for-ransom group and part of a plot to assassinate her.
- Confidential Fund Origin: Critics have long pointed out that the ₱125 million allocation was not in the original 2022 budget (crafted under former VP Leni Robredo) and only appeared as a transfer from the Office of the President’s “Contingent Fund.”
Madriaga’s appearance was made possible by a court order allowing him to leave detention specifically for the hearing. While his testimony provides a specific roadmap of alleged corruption, the Vice President’s camp has dismissed him as a “criminal” whose stories are fabricated to serve the interests of her political opponents.
The House justice committee is expected to summon the individuals and officials named in Madriaga’s testimony, including the security officers and political figures alleged to have received the bags of cash.