The Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed the perjury complaint filed by Vice President Sara Duterte against self-confessed former “bagman” Ramil Madriaga.
In a 19-page resolution made public Thursday, prosecutors ruled that the complaint lacked prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to proceed to trial.
The prosecution found that the legal elements of perjury were not fully established, noting a failure to prove that Madriaga willfully and deliberately made false statements under oath.
Madriaga previously executed affidavits accusing Duterte of links to illegal drugs, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), and using confidential funds to finance her 2022 vice-presidential campaign.
While Duterte’s legal counsel, Atty. Paolo Panelo, previously slammed Madriaga’s claims as “invented stories,” Madriaga’s lawyer, Atty. Raymund Palad, maintained that his client stands by the truth of his statements.
This dismissal addresses the first perjury complaint filed by the Vice President in March 2026. A second, separate perjury complaint filed by Duterte against Madriaga in August 2026 regarding supplemental allegations remains pending.# (ZIA LUNA)
