A lawyer for Vice President Sara Duterte’s self-proclaimed former “bagman,” Ramil Madriaga, said that “living witnesses,” who are also Madriaga’s co-accused, can corroborate claims linking his client to the vice president, contradicting her denial of knowing him during a recent House hearing.
Speaking on DZRH’s “Dos Por Dos,” Atty. Raymund Palad, counsel for Ramil Madriaga, said he is convinced that his client and Duterte knew each other, citing accounts from co-detainees who allegedly witnessed their interactions.
“Aside doon sa statement niya sa affidavit, dalawang co-accused niya detainee rin sa Annex II, BJMP, kasamahan niya sa ISIP Pilipinas, nakausap ko, wala pa lang silang affidavit,” Palad said in Filipino during the radio interview.
Palad said the co-detainees, whom he described as members of a group called “ISIP Pilipinas,” have yet to execute formal affidavits but have shared details that support Madriaga’s claims.
He cited one alleged encounter during a political rally in Matnog, where Duterte supposedly addressed Madriaga as “Sir Ram” and later held a private conversation with him.
“Sabi niya pagkaabot ng Philippine flag, 30 minutes nag-usap yung dalawa sa isang area, pinaplano nila yung [2022 presidential] campaign kung saang probinsya tutuloy,” Palad said.
He added that the witness claimed to be within one to two meters of the pair at the time, acting as a driver and security aide.
Palad said he has spoken with at least two drivers who are now co-detainees and could serve as “living witnesses” to corroborate the alleged relationship between Duterte and Madriaga.
“Dalawa yung kinausap ko na driver na co-detainee, ang tawag natin dito mga living witnesses who can corroborate yung pagkakakilala ng dalawa. Mahirap itanggi yun,” he said.
The lawyer also addressed remarks made during Tuesday’s clarificatory session of the House Committee on Justice, where lawmakers questioned the lack of corroboration for Madriaga’s statements.
Palad said additional witnesses, including a relative of Madriaga identified as Rosendro Madriaga, are also key individuals. He described the relative as a driver and security aide allegedly involved in the pickup and delivery of funds.
“Yung Rosendro Madriaga, pinsan niya [na] security/driver, kasa-kasama yun sa other pickup and deliveries ng pera. Tapos yung pickup and delivery ng confidential funds meron isang driver that can corroborate that.”
“Kapag nakakausap ko sila, ikekwento talaga nila yung totoo. So, based on that, kumbinsido kami na yung kwento niya merong supporting living witnesses who can corroborate that,” Palad said.
The statements come amid ongoing proceedings in the House of Representatives related to the impeachment case against Sara Duterte, where Madriaga’s affidavit has been cited as part of the discussions.
