MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte refused to confirm or deny reports that she visited former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla had earlier said that Duterte visited Teves at the BJMP facility on October 19. Teves is detained there for his alleged role in the assassination of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo in March 2023, known as the Pamplona Massacre.

When asked to comment, Duterte repeated her denial of any relationship with her alleged former aide, Ramil Madriaga, who had accused her of ordering him to deliver large sums of money to various individuals.

“Let them say whatever they want. As for me, what I said is that I don’t know Ramil Madriaga,” Duterte said, offering no explanation regarding her visit to Teves or the frequency of such visits.

She added that accusations without evidence constitute slander and suggested that the claims were linked to the upcoming 2028 presidential elections.

In an official statement released on December 22, Duterte also addressed Madriaga’s allegations, saying she has never given him instructions, never visited him in prison, and that submitted photographs were unrelated images from public events.

“Mr. Madriaga has offered no proof — no documents, no corroboration — only accusations. Bare allegations, no matter how loudly repeated, amount to nothing more than noise,” Duterte said in the statement.

She further alleged that Madriaga, facing criminal charges and with a prior record, was disseminating false statements to obstruct her potential presidential candidacy.