MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday strongly criticized her accuser, saying Ramil Madriaga “cannot even weave a believable lie,” following fresh allegations raised during the House impeachment proceedings.
ACCUSER DETAILS CLAIMS ON CONFIDENTIAL FUNDS
During a hearing of the House Committee on Justice, Madriaga alleged that he personally disposed of the Office of the Vice President’s P125-million confidential funds in less than 24 hours.
He further claimed that former president Rodrigo Duterte had instructed him to open alleged dummy bank accounts during his time in office.
VICE PRESIDENT REJECTS ALLEGATIONS
Duterte dismissed the accusations, saying the claims presented during the hearing were baseless.
She took particular offense at allegations questioning her academic background, specifically the suggestion that she needed assistance to complete law school.
The Vice President clarified that she independently earned her law degree and passed the Bar examinations in 2005.
LAWMAKER URGES DUTERTE TO ATTEND HEARINGS
Meanwhile, Rep Terry Ridon, a member of the House panel, called on Duterte to personally attend the impeachment hearings and directly address the accusations.
Ridon said it would be better for the Vice President to raise her counterarguments during official proceedings rather than through press statements or her lawyers’ briefings.
CRITICISM OF ADMINISTRATION
In a separate remark, Duterte also criticized the current administration, citing what she described as a failure to provide adequate relief amid rising prices and ongoing economic pressures.
BACKGROUND: ONGOING IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS
The impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte is currently under review by the House Committee on Justice to determine whether there is sufficient basis to proceed.
The complaints include allegations related to the handling of confidential funds and other governance issues, which Duterte has repeatedly denied.