MANILA — Former Ombudsman Samuel Martires has denied allegations that he received money from the Dutertes, branding the claims as “illogical” and riddled with inconsistencies as the controversy surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment proceedings deepens.
Martires issued the statement in response to testimony by Ramil Madriaga, who claimed to have delivered large sums of cash to officials of the Office of the Ombudsman upon the instructions of Vice President Duterte-Carpio and former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Challenging the credibility of the accusations, Martires questioned the supposed method of cash delivery, particularly the use of intermediaries despite his alleged closeness to the former president.
“If the public’s perception that I am close to former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is true, then why would the former President send me money through a nonentity when FPRRD can easily summon me so he can give me money?” Martires said.
He also cast doubt on the alleged involvement of the Vice President, pointing out the absence of any personal relationship between them.
“Why will also the VP send me money thru an insignificant person when she (VP) doesn’t know me personally? What business does the VP have with me to be sent an amount of money?” he added.
Martires further underscored what he described as glaring inconsistencies in Madriaga’s statements, noting contradictions with an earlier sworn affidavit.
“Madriaga’s statement is inconsistent with his previous sworn statement made in 2025,” he said.
Madriaga, in his affidavit and testimony before the House Committee on Justice on Tuesday, alleged that he delivered cash to the Ombudsman’s office, including a supposed transaction on December 20, 2022.
He claimed that he and his team transported two bags of money from the Department of Education Central Office in Pasig City to the Ombudsman compound in Quezon City.
According to Madriaga, the cash was left inside a parked vehicle at a designated area, with the keys placed on the front wheel, which he described as their “usual practice” for such deliveries. He also alleged that he personally handed P15 million to Assistant Special Prosecutor Ryan Rey Quilala inside the Ombudsman’s office.
The allegations form part of broader issues being examined in the impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte-Carpio./PN
