A POSSIBLE coordinated network may be behind the alleged misuse of confidential funds linked to Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, based on the testimony of her self-confessed “bagman” Ramil L. Madriaga, House Committee on Public Accounts Chair Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-list said on Monday.
Ridon, a lawyer and member of the House Committee on Justice, raised the concern as the panel continues hearings to determine probable cause on impeachment complaints, including allegations involving the handling of confidential funds and their possible use in activities linked to Inday Sara Is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas.
Madriaga, in his testimony and supplemental affidavit, described ISIP Pilipinas as a support and fundraising group tied to Duterte’s political activities, including her 2022 presidential campaign, and claimed that funds he handled were intended for the group’s operations.
“So I think these are very important questions na kailangan pong maipaliwanag kasi nga if you dig deeper, talaga it is more than meets the eye,” Ridon said in a media interview on Morning Matters on One News PH.
He pointed to the roles of individuals identified in Madriaga’s account, particularly lawyers Ryan Quilala and Reynold Munsayac.
Quilala, an assistant special prosecutor at the Office of the Ombudsman and Duterte’s former law professor, was described as a key intermediary, with Madriaga indicating that his dealings and instructions were coursed through him.
Munsayac, a former spokesperson of Duterte at the Office of the Vice President, was also named as part of the same group, situating him within the network of individuals linked to the alleged movement and use of funds.
“Gusto talaga nating malaman ‘yung kwento or denial noong mga personalidad na binanggit doon. Si Mr. Ryan Quilala at si Reynold Munsayac. Very important ‘yung papel nila,” Ridon said.
Ridon noted that both have yet to issue categorical denials despite being directly named in the testimony.
“Kasi ilang araw, malapit mag-isang linggo, up until today, wala tayong naririnig ng outright denial from the two,” he said.
He said Madriaga’s account places them in the same operational circle supporting the vice president, raising questions about how individuals linked to political activities were also associated with someone accused of handling large cash transfers.
Madriaga is currently detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig, while facing kidnapping-related charges, an issue raised during the hearings that has been used by critics to question his credibility even as lawmakers assess the weight of his testimony.
“So talaga very major ‘yun pong papel ni Mr. Quilala to explain all of these things,” Ridon said. “Kung bakit, kung papaano nangyari na magkakasama sila doon sa isang grupo supporting the Vice President at the same time na si Mr. Madriaga was supposedly undertaking kidnapping activities.”
Ridon said these overlapping roles and timelines point to the possibility of a broader scheme beyond a simple transfer or handling of funds, underscoring the need for further scrutiny as the impeachment proceedings move forward.
