A self-confessed former “bagman” of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday identified a Pharmally-linked figure, a former presidential adviser, and foreign businessmen as alleged sources of funding for her 2022 campaign.
Ramil Madriaga, a key resource person in the ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Vice President, made the claims in a sworn affidavit detailing how funds were allegedly raised and used to support Duterte’s candidacy.
In his affidavit, Madriaga said he helped establish a support group called “Inday Sara is My President” (ISIP), which he claimed was used to organize and finance Duterte’s presidential bid before she eventually ran for vice president.
He alleged that funding for ISIP came from “friends and supporters” of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte, including Lin Wei Xiong, whom he identified as a financial officer of Pharmally Pharmaceuticals.
Pharmally figured prominently in Senate investigations during the Covid-19 pandemic over billions of pesos in government contracts for medical supplies, drawing widespread public scrutiny and controversy.
Madriaga claimed he personally received PHP175 million in cash from Lin in mid-2021 at the basement parking of a Quezon City hotel.
“The money was placed inside several large backpacks and bags which were handed to me at the basement parking of Seda Hotel, Quezon City,” Madriaga said.
“Lin Wei Xiong was present when I received the said amount together with two other individuals. He then asked me where the money will be used. I informed him that this will be used to fund the election of Sara, to which he replied, ‘good, good.’”
He said the funds were used to finance ISIP’s nationwide operations, including organizing chapters, campaign logistics and allowances for volunteers.
Madriaga further alleged that an additional PHP100 million was sourced from Maestrado Lim, whom he described as a foreign businessman he had met in Davao City.
“The money was placed in several bags and was handed to me by Maestrado Lim,” he said.
Madriaga also claimed that businessman Michael Yang, a former economic adviser to Rodrigo Duterte, provided financial support to ISIP.
Yang has been linked in previous congressional investigations, including findings discussed during the 2024 House Quad Committee hearings, to alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.
Aside from financiers, Madriaga identified individuals involved in organizing ISIP, including Assistant Special Prosecutor Ryan Rey Quilala of the Office of the Ombudsman.
He alleged that part of the funds was delivered directly to Quilala, the Vice President’s former professor at San Sebastian College of Law.
“Upon the request of Atty. Ryan, I personally delivered PHP15 million to him in his office at the Office of the Ombudsman,” Madriaga said.
Madriaga said ISIP organized chapters in several areas across the country to promote Duterte’s candidacy, before she later decided to run as vice president under the UniTeam ticket.
The allegations are part of the evidence being presented before the House Committee on Justice as it determines whether there is probable cause to elevate the impeachment case to the Senate. (PNA)