Taguig prosecutors dismiss Sara Duterte’s perjury complaint vs Madriaga

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 11, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency

MANILA, Philippines — The Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed Vice President Sara Duterte’s perjury complaint against Ramil Madriaga, ruling that the evidence presented did not meet the threshold needed to pursue a criminal case.

In a 19-page resolution made public on Sept. 10, prosecutors recommended the dismissal of the complaint for “lack of prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction.”

The complaint stemmed from Madriaga’s affidavit in late 2025, where he made allegations about his supposed ties to Duterte, his alleged role in handling confidential funds, and claims that Philippine offshore gaming operators and drug dealers financed a group supporting Duterte’s 2022 presidential bid. Duterte has denied the allegations and described them as fabricated.

Prosecutors said Duterte’s evidence raised questions about Madriaga’s statements but was not enough to establish that he knowingly and deliberately made false statements under oath, a key element in proving perjury.

The resolution stressed that conflicting claims or disputed facts alone do not automatically amount to perjury.

Prosecutors also clarified that dismissing the complaint does not mean Madriaga’s affidavit has been proven true.

They said the resolution should not be interpreted as validating or invalidating his allegations, nor should it affect separate proceedings before the Office of the Ombudsman, the House of Representatives, the Senate impeachment court or other tribunals.

Madriaga had earlier been listed as a possible witness in Duterte’s impeachment trial over allegations involving confidential funds, but the House prosecution panel later decided not to present him.

Duterte has also filed a second perjury complaint against Madriaga, this time over statements in his supplemental affidavit dated April 11, 2026. That complaint was filed on Aug. 17 and is separate from the case dismissed by Taguig prosecutors.