MANILA — The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio on Friday strongly dismissed as “comical” the claim of alleged bagman Ramil Madriaga that his life is in danger, rejecting the accusation as baseless and questioning his credibility amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.
Madriaga earlier alleged that former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves—who had met with Duterte-Carpio last year—posed a threat to his life.
The Vice President’s legal counsel, Atty. Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr., flatly rejected the claim and cast doubt on Madriaga’s reliability.
“The claim that Teves ‘wants him dead is comical,’” Panelo said in a statement sent to Panay News on Friday.
Panelo also pointed to what he described as inconsistencies in Madriaga’s statements, saying these undermine his credibility.
“This obvious falsehood is entirely on brand for someone who has lied through his teeth about his supposed association with the Vice President, and his own background,” Panelo said.
He further criticized the House Justice Committee for allegedly giving weight to Madriaga’s claims amid ongoing proceedings.
“The House Justice Committee’s blind acceptance of this ridiculous and unsubstantiated narrative from a polluted source only confirms the Committee’s willingness to entertain fabrications in pursuit of a politically motivated agenda,” he said.
Panelo also cited an earlier claim by Madriaga that Duterte-Carpio personally visited him in jail to dissuade him from testifying—an allegation he said had already been disproven.
“That story was quickly debunked by DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who confirmed that VP Sara visited Teves, not Madriaga,” Panelo said.
He added that Madriaga appeared to have altered his narrative following the controversy.
“Since his lie was exposed, Madriaga has conveniently shifted his narrative to insinuate that VP Sara, through Teves, is behind the alleged threat to his life,” he said.
Both Teves and Madriaga are currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
Teves is facing charges in connection with the killing of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, while Madriaga is being held over a kidnap-for-ransom case.
The statement from Duterte-Carpio’s camp came as the House Justice Committee continues deliberations on impeachment complaints against the Vice President, just days before Congress is set to suspend sessions for the Holy Week break./PN
