MANILA — A former security chief of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio has strongly denied allegations linking him to illegal gambling proceeds and drug money, as the claims surfaced as part of an impeachment complaint now advancing in the House of Representatives.
Retired Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica, former head of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG), rejected accusations made by self-proclaimed former aide Ramil Madriaga, stressing that the claims were aired publicly without evidence and risk undermining due process.
“The accusations linking my name to supposed ‘POGO money,’ ‘drug money,’ and other alleged irregularities are completely baseless,” Lachica said.
He also criticized how the issue has been discussed in public, warning that widespread coverage may have created the impression of guilt despite the absence of due process.
“These allegations were widely discussed in media platforms, creating a misleading narrative that wrongdoing had already been established. This kind of trial by publicity undermines fairness and damages reputations without due process,” he added.
Madriaga earlier alleged that funds from drug operations and Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) were used to support the “Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas” campaign.
He claimed to have worked with Lachica and another officer in providing security and transport services for high-profile individuals, including the movement of large sums of money between July 2022 and April 2023.
His statements have been cited in an impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Duterte-Carpio.
The Vice President has repeatedly denied any personal ties to Madriaga, describing him as “acting out of desperation” in an apparent attempt to secure his release from detention.
Lachica, for his part, said the matter has already been referred to proper authorities for investigation.
“I remain confident that the legal process will ultimately reveal the truth and expose the baseless nature of these accusations. I also urge all parties to respect the ongoing legal proceedings and refrain from further attempts to litigate this issue in the court of public opinion,” the former VPSPG chief said.
“The public deserves the truth — and the truth will come out through the proper process of law,” he continued.
Meanwhile, the House justice committee has ruled that two impeachment complaints against Duterte-Carpio are sufficient in form and substance, paving the way for further proceedings.
The complaints include allegations of betrayal of public trust and constitutional violations, as well as issues surrounding the alleged misuse of confidential funds and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family./PN
