VP Sara Duterte files perjury complaint vs alleged ex-bagman Ramil Madriaga

Philippine Canadian Inquirer
March 4, 2026

(Photo courtesy: Office of the Vice President)

TAGUIG CITY —  Vice President Sara Duterte filed a perjury complaint against alleged former bagman Ramil Madriaga before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Taguig.

In a statement, Duterte explained that her legal move was done following what happened to former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the submitted testimonies of former Davao Death Squad (DDS) members Arturo Lascañas and Edgar Matobato.

“Si Madriaga ay isang akusado sa kasong kidnapping na nagpanggap na campaign supporter at mula roon ay biglang lumitaw bilang testigo kuno sa impeachment laban sa akin,” Duterte stated.

(Madriaga is accused of a kidnapping case, who also posed as a campaign supporter, and from there he appeared as an alleged witness for the impeachment complaint filed against me.)

“Hindi maaaring hayaang gamitin ang mga imbentong kwento upang linlangin ang publiko. Ang aking abogado na si Atty Paolo Panelo ang sasagot sa mga tanong ng media tungkol sa kasong ito,” she added.

(We cannot let these fabricated narratives be used for legal proceedings to confuse the public. My lawyer Atty. Paolo Panelo will be the one to answer the questions from the media about this case.)

On the same day, the House justice committee declared the two impeachment complaints against her sufficient in form and substance. Consequently, the panel issued a notice to respond, warranting her to provide an answer about these complaints within 10 calendar days.