Vice President Sara Duterte declined to address claims that she visited detained former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. at a Taguig jail, choosing instead to reiterate that she has no connection to a man whose accusations have placed her under renewed political scrutiny.
Asked in Davao City about Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s statement that she went to Camp Bagong Diwa to see Teves, Duterte did not answer directly. She said others were free to speak, while maintaining that she does not know Ramil Madriaga, who has alleged links to her office.
“Bahala sila kung anong gusto nilang sabihin. Basta ako, ang sinabi ko, hindi ko kilala si Ramil Madriaga,” she said in an Inquirer.net report.
When pressed on whether she would confirm or deny the reported visit, Duterte responded, “Ang sinasabi ko, wala akong iko-confirm at ide-deny.”
Remulla earlier said the Vice President’s visit was to Teves and not to Madriaga, who has claimed to be her former aide and has accused drug syndicates and Philippine offshore gaming operators of funding the political group Inday Sara Duterte is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas.
Duterte has rejected Madriaga’s assertions, saying he failed to present documents or proof to support what she described as “bare allegations.” She also suggested he was “acting out of desperation” in an effort to gain release from detention.
“He is now disseminating false statements to government authorities as part of a concerted effort to obstruct and undermine my possible candidacy for President,” she said.
Madriaga has alleged that between July 2022 and April 2023, he worked with Col. Dennis Nolasco and Col. Raymund Lachica on security and transport operations involving Duterte and other VIPs, including the delivery of large sums of cash. His affidavit includes a section labeled “confidential funds,” detailing alleged transfers ranging from millions to as much as a billion pesos. He is currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa on a kidnapping-for-ransom charge.
Separate from the jail visit controversy, Duterte said she has not communicated recently with Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, amid reports of a warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court.
“Hindi kami nagkausap ni Senator Bato ngayong panahon ng Pasko. Ang huling pagkausap namin ay ‘yung araw na nagsabi na merong warrant of arrest para sa kanya,” she said.
Dela Rosa’s lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, has said the senator is avoiding public appearances because “his personal safety is at stake.” The senator has not attended Senate sessions since November 11, following an announcement by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla that the ICC had issued a warrant related to the previous administration’s war on drugs.
The Vice President also commented on the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, who was linked to questioned flood control projects. Cabral was found on December 18 unconscious and unresponsive 20 to 30 meters below a highway in Benguet, hours after asking her driver to leave her along Kennon Road, and was declared dead shortly after midnight the following day.
“I think makakaapekto ito sa mental wellness ng mga undersecretary at mga assistant secretary diyan sa mga opisina ng mga departments… Dahil ‘yung mga kaparte ng anomalya, mag-iisip na sila kung mahuhulog din ba sila sa bangin,” Duterte said, while declining to speculate on whether foul play was involved.
On the political front, Duterte said public attention was wearing thin over renewed impeachment moves against her.
“Nakakapagod na siya para sa taong bayan, ‘yung impeachment na ‘yan dahil nakikita naman natin na wala talaga ang ebidensya ‘yung kanilang mga reklamo. Totally for threats and harassment lang,” she said.
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan has announced plans to file another impeachment complaint once the constitutional one-year ban expires on February 5, 2026. Duterte has previously said such efforts were unsurprising and suggested they were being used as leverage by lawmakers ahead of deliberations on the 2026 national budget.
Speaking about the proposed P6.793 trillion budget for next year, Duterte said it should be signed before the end of December to avoid a reenacted spending program.
“Dili pwede uy. Dapat before December 31, pirmahan ang budget, otherwise magre-enact ‘yan kung hindi pirmado by December 31,” she said, explaining that a reenacted budget would extend the 2025 appropriations.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has since confirmed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos is set to sign the 2026 General Appropriations Act in the first week of January.
The Vice President also said she did not send a Christmas greeting to the President.
