MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte filed her reply-affidavit in the perjury complaint she lodged against Ramil Madriaga, with her legal camp insisting that sufficient evidence had been presented to show he allegedly lied under oath in linking her to illegal campaign funds and cash deliveries.

In a media report, it said that the reply-affidavit was filed through legal counsel Atty. Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr. with the Office of the City Prosecutor in Taguig, in response to Madriaga’s counter-affidavit submitted on April 14.

Speaking to reporters after the filing, Panelo said Madriaga failed to address the evidence presented by the Vice President’s camp.

“So para sa amin, iyong counter-affidavit kasi ni Madriaga, hindi niya nasagot iyong mga ebidensyang nilatag namin doon sa complaint-affidavit ni VP Sara na nagpapatunay na hindi totoo iyong mga sinasabi niya,” Panelo said.

Panelo said their 340-page complaint-affidavit already established that Madriaga’s claims were “impossible,” citing Duterte’s sworn statements, seven corroborating witnesses, and documentary records.

He said these were used to dispute Madriaga’s claims that he worked for Duterte since 2018, helped organize pro-Duterte groups such as ISIP Pilipinas and “VP-SVG,” and handled alleged confidential cash funds.

Madriaga, who claims to be a former aide of Duterte, earlier alleged that drug dealers and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) funded the “Inday Sara Duterte Is My President” or ISIP campaign and related groups—claims that were later cited in impeachment complaints against the Vice President.

Duterte denied the allegations and filed a perjury complaint on March 4 before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office, saying Madriaga’s statements were fabricated.

Panelo said Madriaga’s submissions instead strengthened their case, citing a screenshot of a virtual political meeting that included Duterte, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

He said Madriaga wrongly presented the online meeting as proof of insider access, noting it had about 92 participants and involved various groups.

“Pati iyong ganoong klaseng meeting na standard noong panahon na iyan, papalabasin niya na iyon iyong pruweba niya na insider siya. Pero ang totoo, napakarami pong pumunta at hindi siya ang nag-organize ng meeting na iyan,” Panelo said.

Panelo also questioned Madriaga’s allegations of cash deliveries and bank transactions, saying these were contradicted by records and certifications from business owners and government offices.

He added that certifications obtained by Duterte’s camp showed Madriaga was never employed by the Office of the Vice President, the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group, the Presidential Security Group, or the Department of Education.

“Ginawa nating airtight” ang reklamo, Panelo said.

The next hearing is set on May 18 for Madriaga to file a rejoinder affidavit.

Panelo also said Duterte’s legal team may pursue another perjury complaint against Madriaga, but stressed that timing would depend on coordination with the Vice President’s impeachment defense team.

“Yun ang rekomendasyon namin kay VP,” he said.

“Whether matutuloy immediately or later on, nakadepende iyan kasi kailangan nating isangguni iyan sa impeachment defense team,” he added.

He said the decision is also strategic, noting possible implications for the upcoming impeachment proceedings.

“It’s more of a strategy thing. Do you want to show your cards before the impeachment trial? It’s more that than anything else,” Panelo said.