MANILA, Philippines — The Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office has recommended the dismissal of the perjury complaint filed by Vice President Sara Duterte against self-confessed former aide and alleged bagman Ramil Madriaga.
The ruling clears Madriaga of the criminal charges initiated by Duterte, who accused her former associate of making false and malicious statements under oath. Madriaga previously made headlines during legislative inquiries after alleging that illegal funds, including contributions from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and narcotics syndicates, were funneled into Duterte’s political campaigns and operational accounts.
In their evaluation, prosecutors determined that the elements of perjury were not sufficiently established to warrant a formal charge in court, noting a lack of probable cause to prove that Madriaga knowingly executed willful falsehoods in his submitted affidavits. The dismissal represents a notable legal setback for the Vice President’s defense team, which had assembled extensive witness accounts and documentation to refute Madriaga's testimony.
Legal representatives for Vice President Duterte have not yet confirmed whether they will file a motion for reconsideration or elevate the matter to the Department of Justice. Meanwhile, Madriaga’s legal counsel welcomed the resolution, maintaining that his client's disclosures were delivered truthfully as part of ongoing legislative oversight and accountability proceedings.
The resolution adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing legislative probes into campaign financing and the operations of unregulated offshore gaming entities in the country. Lawmakers leading the Congressional inquiry noted that the prosecutor's finding reinforces the protection of witnesses who step forward during legislative hearings, ensuring that individuals offering testimony on matters of public interest are not easily deterred by retaliatory legal action.
Political analysts observe that the decision could influence public perception as the administration and the Office of the Vice President continue to navigate heightened political friction. With the perjury charges set aside, attention now pivots back to the credibility of the broader allegations raised during the hearings, as well as potential follow-up investigations by anti-graft agencies into campaign finance disclosures.
In response to the ruling, civil society groups and legal observers have called for greater transparency in handling high-profile affidavits, urging state prosecutors to maintain independence amid intense public scrutiny. The Department of Justice has stated it will review any formal appeals should the Vice President's legal team decide to contest the Taguig prosecutor's findings in the coming weeks.
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