Allegations of Influence: Former Intel Officer Implicates Vice President Sara Duterte in Financial and Political Conspiracy

The political landscape in the Philippines has been violently jolted by the emergence of a self-proclaimed former intelligence officer who has leveled grave and detailed accusations against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The individual, identified as Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga, a name now echoing across news channels and political forums, has submitted a five-page notarized sworn affidavit to the Taguig Regional Trial Court. In this document, Madriaga, who claims to have served as an intelligence officer under former President Rodrigo Duterte and a close operative for the then-Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, outlines a sweeping narrative of financial misconduct and alleged compromised political funding.

His testimony is far more than a simple political attack; it is an insider’s account that ties the 2022 campaign finances directly to shadowy elements, specifically P.O.G.O (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) and d.r.u.g d.e.a.l.e.r interests.

Madriaga’s affidavit, reported exclusively by Dexter Ganibe of Abante, focuses intensely on the Confidential Funds allocated to VP Sara during the 2022 campaign—funds that were already the basis for an impeachment case last year. The core of his testimony paints him as the “bagman,” the delivery person responsible for transporting colossal sums of cash to various recipients.

He recounts specific, verifiable locations and timelines: funds handed over to him in the Ultra Pasig area sometime in December 2022; deliveries made in the parking lot of the Ombudsman’s office; and even a rendezvous in Laguna intended for a mayor, although he did not personally meet the official. He also describes delivering cash to a comedy bar frequented by VP Sara’s law school classmates, suggesting a discreet network for distribution.

The sheer volume of the alleged transactions is staggering, pushing the boundaries of believable political finance. Madriaga claims he handled four distinct d.u.f.f.l.e b.a.g.s, each reportedly containing between P30 million and P35 million. These specific claims, with their cinematic detail, are designed to lend credibility to his broader story, offering concrete, albeit currently unverified, pieces of evidence.

Beyond these multiple deliveries, his affidavit alleges an even larger transaction: the delivery of a colossal one billion pesos in February 2020 at Katarungan Village in Muntinlupa City. The credibility of this particular claim is bolstered, according to Madriaga, by an alleged direct phone call from former President Rodrigo Duterte, who supposedly called him to confirm that the intended recipient had received the immense sum of cash. This detail, if confirmed, connects the alleged financial impropriety not just to the Vice President, but to the very highest level of the previous administration.

Madriaga details his initial contact with the Duterte family during the 2016 campaign. Following the successful campaign, he was, he states, appointed as a counter-intelligence agent within the National Security Council, with a specific focus on “Oplan Double Barrel,” the controversial anti-d.r.u.g operation of the former administration. In 2018, he was allegedly introduced to then-Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to provide intelligence reports pertaining to her potential presidential candidacy.

It was during this period, according to the whistleblower, that he was instructed by the Vice President to establish the movement known as “Sara Duterte is my president,” or the broader “Isip Pilipinas” initiative.

Crucially, Madriaga asserts that the funds underwriting this political groundwork originated from the highly sensitive and often-scrutinized P.O.G.O sector and, even more dangerously, from d.r.u.g d.e.a.l.e.r interests.

His testimony then delves into a specific and controversial national incident: the infamous magnetic lifters case of 2018. The magnetic lifters, initially deemed “hot items” by the Bureau of Customs, were later found empty in Cavite, fueling widespread public speculation that they had contained a massive shipment of illegal narcotics. Madriaga claims that the Vice President’s own husband allegedly instructed him to facilitate the removal of these magnetic lifters from Customs custody.

The whistleblower offers a key piece of information regarding the contents of the lifters. He alleges that a Chinese individual, reportedly an associate of the controversial Michael Yang, contacted him directly.

Madriaga claims the Chinese associate instructed him to coordinate with a certain person to help move the lifters out. To Madriaga, the involvement of the Chinese national and the context of the operation made it “definite” that the cargo involved d.r.u.g.s, suggesting he was fully aware of the true nature of the operation he was allegedly involved in.

The motivation behind Madriaga’s sudden public revelation, according to his lawyer, is profound fear. He claims to have experienced numerous unwelcome visits from individuals allegedly connected to the Vice President, leading him to believe his life is in danger. By making his personal knowledge public, he hopes to secure his safety and ensure the truth is known.

This claim is partially corroborated by columnist Ramon Tulfo, who previously reported a late-night visit by VP Sara herself to Madriaga, who is currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan on a kidnapping charge. Tulfo’s initial report, now viewed through the lens of the affidavit, suggests the purpose of the Vice President’s late-hour visit was to plead with Madriaga to remain silent regarding the alleged conspiracy between the Dutertes, P.O.G.O, and d.r.u.g l.o.r.d.s.

Adding another layer of complexity to the entanglement is the role of the former Duterte spokesperson, Harry Roque. Tulfo has also alleged that Roque assisted “big-time” P.O.G.O operators in filing a case against Madriaga, a detail that, if true, further intertwines the political and criminal elements of this developing scandal. The political ramifications are already beginning to surface. Madriaga’s lawyer, Attorney Palad, confirmed that he and Layla de Lima, the Liberal Party list Representative, visited Madriaga in prison. De Lima, a vocal critic of the administration, recently stated on December 8 that the issues of accountability surrounding the Vice President are far from resolved.

The timing of Madriaga’s affidavit is also highly significant, coming ahead of a potential fresh impeachment complaint against VP Sara once the one-year bar rule on filing a new complaint expires in February. The allegations contained in the sworn statement—from the misuse of confidential funds and the clandestine delivery of vast sums of cash, to the dangerous claims of funding derived from P.O.G.O and d.r.u.g l.o.r.d interests—are likely to form the core of any new impeachment proceedings. The Office of the Vice President has been contacted for comment, having been provided with an electronic copy of Madriaga’s affidavit.

The full weight of these allegations has yet to be determined by the courts. However, the sworn affidavit, coming from a man who claims to have been deep within the inner security and political circles of the Duterte family, represents a significant and potentially destabilizing threat to the current administration. It shifts the narrative from mere financial scrutiny to one of serious national integrity and security concerns, suggesting a disturbing confluence of high-level politics and organized c.r.i.m.e. The nation is now watching closely as the legal and political spheres grapple with the fallout of this explosive revelation. Whether Madriaga’s claims are borne of truth or motivated by other factors, the details he has laid out demand a rigorous and independent investigation, for the faith of the public in their institutions may very well hang in the balance.

His detailed account provides a rare, albeit controversial, glimpse into the alleged shadowy mechanics of campaign finance, raising uncomfortable questions about where political power truly derives its strength and resources. The mention of specific locations, the involvement of multiple high-profile individuals, and the alleged direct confirmation by a former President create a narrative structure that, while legally unsubstantiated, carries a heavy emotional and political impact. The fact that Madriaga is currently incarcerated adds a complex layer to his reliability, yet his willingness to face potential legal repercussions for his claims underscores the gravity with which he perceives the situation. The political battle lines are clearly drawn, and the affidavit serves as potent ammunition for those seeking accountability at the highest echelons of government.