THE LEGAL counsel for Vice President Sara Duterte dismissed the allegations made by Ramil Madriaga as “delusional” and “pure fiction” after a handwritten letter from the witness dated April 11, 2026, circulated online.
In a statement released Tuesday, April 14, Atty. Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr. claimed that Madriaga’s latest claims—which reportedly include details of a secret term-sharing agreement and alleged plots to oust or assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—actually bolster the Vice President’s defense by undermining the witness’s own credibility.
Allegations of assassination plots
The controversy centers on Madriaga’s handwritten correspondence, which surfaced ahead of his scheduled testimony before the House committee on justice. While the specific details of the letter have sparked intense political discussion, the Vice President’s camp was quick to go on the offensive.
“His allegations… are pure fiction, and not even remotely believable,” Panelo stated. “If the need arises, we will be happy to refute each delusional claim point by point with evidence—something that has eluded all his allegations, past and present.”
Credibility under fire
The defense team’s strategy appears focused on framing Madriaga as an unreliable narrator before he even takes the stand. Panelo argued that the witness has managed to “expose his own lies” without the need for cross-examination.
“I have repeatedly said that making Madriaga testify would just reveal his lack of credibility,” Panelo said. “He has now succeeded in doing exactly that even before uttering a single word under oath.”
The mention of “assassination plots” and “planned ousters” marks a sharp escalation in the rhetoric surrounding the House proceedings. While the House justice committee has yet to vet these specific claims formally, the Duterte camp remains steadfast that the accusations are a fabrication intended to destabilize the Vice President’s standing.
As of press time, the House committee on justice has not issued a formal response to Panelo’s statement, nor has the administration commented on the alleged plots mentioned in Madriaga’s letter.
Photo from House of Representatives FB page
