Remulla: VP Sara visited Teves, not Madriaga, in jail
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday confirmed that Vice President Sara Duterte visited the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) detention facility at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
But he clarified that Duterte was there to see dismissed Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. and not her supposed former aide and alleged bagman Ramil Madriaga.
“She went there but she talked to Arnie Teves, not to Madriaga,” Remulla said in a press briefing, adding that the visit took place on Oct. 19.
Teves is accused of masterminding the assassination of his political rival, former Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, in March 2023.
Warden present
According to Remulla, Duterte’s visit to the BJMP facility was captured on a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, adding that the jail warden was with her throughout her visit.
“The warden has shown records; the warden was present there during the meeting. Not much was discussed, they only exchanged pleasantries,” the interior chief said, adding: “So that was the extent of the report to me.”
Earlier, Raymund Palad, one of Madriaga’s lawyers, claimed that Duterte made two visits to the BJMP facility to persuade his client not to continue with his expose against her.
Madriaga, who said he started working for Duterte as an aide when she was still Davao City mayor, earlier asked the Ombudsman to investigate her. In an affidavit, he claimed he delivered large amounts of money to various individuals upon her orders.
Madriaga also said he formed the movement “Inday Sara is My President” in 2020 in preparation for her campaign for the presidency in 2022. He alleged that it was funded by Philippine offshore gaming operators and drug dealers.
Duterte, for her part, denied Madriaga’s allegations, calling these part of an attempt “to obstruct and undermine” her possible presidential bid for 2028.
“I do not have a personal relationship with Ramil Madriaga, nor have I ever given him instructions of any kind. I have never visited him in prison, nor have I spoken to him about anything at any time,” she said.
