MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte spent ₱125 million in confidential funds in less than 24 hours in 2022, her alleged former associate Ramil Madriaga claimed in a sworn supplemental affidavit presented during a House hearing on Tuesday.
Madriaga made the statement before the House Committee on Justice, disputing earlier reports that the funds were used over 11 days. He said the money was distributed in about 18 hours through coordinated cash deliveries.
He alleged that in December 2022, bags containing between ₱30 million and ₱35 million each were transported from the Department of Education central office in Pasig to various locations, including the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City and sites in Laguna.
Madriaga said the operation was carried out under instructions he attributed to Duterte and involved members of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group, including Col. Dennis Nolasco and Col. Raymund Dante Lachica. He described the cash as bundled in ₱1,000 bills and delivered using multiple vehicles.
He also claimed that similar deliveries were made in the past upon instructions from former president Rodrigo Duterte, including alleged deliveries to former ombudsman Samuel Martires and an assistant special prosecutor.
During the same hearing, Madriaga alleged he was instructed to assist in securing the release of equipment seized by the Bureau of Customs that was later found to contain illegal drugs. He also claimed he acted as a “dummy” in transactions for the former president and said Duterte’s 2022 campaign received financial support from an individual he identified as linked to Pharmally.
Madriaga further said Duterte contacted him using an alias while he was detained in 2025 and presented photos and a video message to support his claims.
The Commission on Audit told lawmakers that a notice of disallowance covering ₱73.2 million of the confidential funds had become final and should be returned. The amount forms part of the ₱125 million under review.
Duterte’s legal counsel, Paolo Panelo, rejected Madriaga’s testimony and described him as unreliable, citing what he said was evidence contradicting the allegations.
Members of the Makabayan bloc said the affidavit contained detailed claims that warranted further investigation, while coalition 1Sambayan called on the Supreme Court to allow impeachment proceedings to continue.
