MANILA, Philippines โ The name Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga has reemerged in the national conversation after his sworn affidavit surfaced alleging that he delivered illicit funds for the 2022 vice-presidential campaign of Sara Duterte.
His claims have since circulated online, raising questions about the credibility of the claims and the identity of the man behind them.
Hereโs what we know so far โ and what remains unverified.
Who is Ramil Madriaga?
There are two public records involving a man with that name.
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Documented police record (verified). In July 2023, the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) arrested a man identified as Ramil Lagonoy Madriaga, suspected leader of a kidnap-for-ransom syndicate operating in Metro Manila and Calabarzon.
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Affidavit source (unverified). In December 2025, a man who also identified himself as Ramil Lagonoy Madriaga executed an affidavit claiming involvement in handling money and organizing support operations for the Duterte campaign.
Authorities have not yet confirmed if these two are the same person.
What verified information do we have about Madriaga?
The 2023 police operation is well-documented.
PNP-AKG identified him as the alleged head of the โMadriaga Group,โ described as a kidnap-for-ransom ring. He was arrested in Cainta, Rizal.
The operation was reported by law enforcement and mainstream media.
These details are established and undisputed.
What exactly did Madriaga allege in 2025?
In the affidavit reported by a political news outlet, Madriaga claimed that he worked as a โbagmanโ transporting large sums of cash for the Duterte camp during the 2022 elections.
The money allegedly came from POGOs and drug-linked sources. And deliveries were supposedly carried out using duffel bags.
He claimed involvement in organizing a support group and informal security operations tied to Duterte.
The affidavit has not been independently verified.
Have the allegations been proven?
No. As of now, the claims remain uncorroborated.
The Ombudsman, Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigationย (NBI), and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) have released no official statements confirming any investigation based on the affidavit.
No additional witnesses or documentary evidence have been made public so far.
The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte has not issued an official reply.
Ans major news organizations have not validated the claims.
These remain allegations, not established facts.
Is the affidavitโs source the same person arrested in 2023?
There is no official confirmation.
The identity overlap remains a gray area, with no law enforcement or verified documentation linking the two publicly.
Why did the allegations emerge only in late 2025?
The affidavit offers no explanation for the timing.
With political tensions escalating amidst flood control projects controversies, questions about motive, context, and credibility remain unanswered.
Why do these claims require caution?
Because allegations are not evidence.ย The document is a claim by a single individual without corroboration.
Because credibility is unclear.ย If the affiant is the same person arrested in 2023, this raises questions about motive and reliability. If not, clarity is still lacking.
Because amplification without verification feeds disinformation.ย Circulating the affidavit as fact risks distorting public discourse โ especially in an election climate.
Because institutions, not speculation, should determine the truth.ย Only formal investigations or verified reporting can establish what actually happened.
The bottom line
The Madriaga story spans two narratives.
First, a verified criminal case from 2023, and second, a set of unverified political allegations from 2025.
Until credible bodies confirm or debunk the affidavit, Madriagaโs claims should be treated for what they are: unverified and unproven.
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