The Tamesis
May 5, 2026
Manila – Vice President Sara Duterte’s camp on Monday presented evidence refuting claims by self-confessed salesman Ramil Madriaga that he was close to her.
Paolo Panelo, the vice president’s legal adviser, said this was included in a 47-page reply testimony submitted to the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office.
Duterte’s camp responded to Madriga’s April 14 counter-affidavit concerning the 340-page perjury complaint she submitted to the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office in March.
READ: Sara Duterte files perjury charges against alleged salesman Ramil Madriaga
“We have the opportunity to submit Vice President Sala’s reply or response to Madrigal’s counter-affidavit,” Panelo told reporters in an interview.
“So, for us, Ramil Madriga’s counter-affidavit, his inability to answer the evidence we submitted to Vice President Sala’s complaint testimony, proves that what he said is untrue,” he added.
Panelo said Madrigal was unable to substantiate his claims that he had been working for Duterte since 2018; that he formed the Indi Sala Is My President Philippines (ISIP) movement at her direction; and that he brought in large amounts of money that later became classified.
He said Duterte’s sworn testimony, “supported by seven witnesses and extensive supporting documentation,” showed Madrigal’s accusations against her were false.
In his counter-affidavit, Panelo said Madrigal proved that he and Duterte knew each other by showing photos of virtual meetings involving Sen. Kingoy Estrada and former presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
However, Panelo said the photo did not prove Madrigal’s close relationship with Duterte because 92 people attended the virtual meeting held on January 12, 2022. This was a “parallel meeting” with ISIP Pilipinas among the participants.
“The fact is, there were a lot of people attending, but he was not the one who organized that meeting,” Panelo said. “This is just one of the things we found in the answering affidavit that proves Madriga is a liar.”
Madriga testified during the House Judiciary Committee’s impeachment proceedings on April 14 that he began providing services as an aide to Duterte when he was mayor of Davao City and provided large amounts of funds to multiple individuals on her orders.
Duterte has repeatedly denied the accusations. /mcm/cb
