The possible testimony of alleged former bagman Ramil Madriaga could prove crucial in the two impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, a lawmaker said. Rep. Terry Ridon hopes it will clarify the identities behind bogus names linked to confidential funds. Madriaga is ready to testify before Congress or other bodies.
In Manila, Philippines, Rep. Terry Ridon, chairman of the House committee on public accounts, indicated that the possible testimony of Ramil Madriaga, alleged former bagman of Vice President Sara Duterte, would be crucial in the two impeachment complaints filed against her in the House of Representatives. Ridon hopes Madriaga can shed light on the real identities of supposed informants, including “Mary Grace Piattos,” who received hundreds of millions of pesos in confidential funds.
“If Mr. Madriaga knows something about the bogus names of these purported confidential informants, then perhaps it would be high time for him to provide us clarity on this issue, especially since VP Duterte has been skirting this issue for a very long time,” Ridon said.
In his sworn affidavit, Madriaga claimed Duterte’s May 2022 vice presidential campaign was bankrolled by drug traffickers as well as Philippine offshore gaming operators. Madriaga is currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.
His counsel, Raymund Palad, said Madriaga is ready to face the impeachment process and appear before Congress, the Senate, or the Office of the Ombudsman upon issuance of summonses. “Yes, he expressed willingness (to testify). As soon as he receives a subpoena or summons, or is called to testify, then he will make himself available and personally appear,” Palad said.
Ridon noted that Madriaga’s testimony could clarify who “Mary Grace Piattos,” “Kokoy Villamin,” and other questionable names actually are, after lawmakers flagged supposed beneficiaries linked to some P612 million in confidential funds. The first complaint was filed by the progressive Makabayan bloc, and the second by the civil society group Tindig Pilipinas, headed by Kiko Aquino-Dee, nephew of the late President Noynoy Aquino.
As an insider familiar with handling confidential funds, Madriaga may explain how such names entered official liquidation documents submitted by the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education to the Commission on Audit. It was the late former police general and lawmaker Romeo Acop of Antipolo City who first flagged the controversial “Mary Grace Piattos” issue.
Many of the flagged names do not match any official birth, marriage, or death records from the Philippine Statistics Authority, deepening doubts about their legitimacy. “Public funds come with public accountability. If these names are bogus, then someone must answer for how they were created, approved and liquidated,” Ridon stressed.
The refiled impeachment complaints cite similar offenses to those from last year, but petitioners insist they are not 'recycled,' according to a Rappler report.
