He was brought before the Committee on Justice in handcuffs. Moments later, they were removed. After all, how can a man take his oath while wearing those darn cuffs?
And so, the drama began—at least, that’s how it seemed to me. I am referring, of course, to Ramil Madriaga. Who else?
Among his revelations was the claim that he was once very close to the Dutertes, directly contradicting Vice President Sara Duterte’s earlier declaration that she did not know him. Madriaga claimed he was so close to former President Rodrigo Duterte (FPRRD) that he even allowed several dummy bank accounts to be opened in his name across various branches in Metro Manila. He further alleged that he had even signed blank checks.
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At one point, he broke into tears. He recounted his time as the founder of ISIP (Inday Sara is My President), recalling the moment he was told she would no longer seek the presidency, but would instead run for Vice President alongside Bongbong Marcos in the 2022 elections. Seeing him in tears, the Committee on Justice had to suspend the hearing for several minutes.
Other interesting "reveals" surfaced as well: claims that Sara struggled during law school, allegedly enlisting the "help" of a professor at one college before transferring to another.
Madriaga also alleged that FPRRD requested his help in looking after Sara because the two siblings—referring to Paolo and Baste—were supposedly "ballw" and "bading."
Furthermore, he claimed FPRRD sought his assistance regarding problematic magnetic lifters at the Bureau of Customs. These lifters reportedly contained "construction materials" and allegedly involved Sara’s husband, Atty. Manases Carpio.
I remember that case. A few years ago, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV raised an alarm, insisting those were not "construction materials" at all, but rather "hot items"—as in shabu.
At this point, I must ask: the truth will prevail, for "the truth shall set you free," but whose truth is it that must prevail? Is it FPRRD’s truth, with his "I hate drugs" mantra and his war on drugs? Or is it the truth of Madriaga? Of Trillanes? Or of the Dutertes?
