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Advocates Philippines
Mans Carpio Files P7.3-Million Lawsuit Against Sara Duterte Impeachment Backers
Photo credit: Senate PH
Atty. Manases Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, has filed a P7.3-million civil lawsuit against several individuals linked to the impeachment complaints against his wife, accusing them of damaging his reputation and political standing.
Court records showed the complaint was filed before the Regional Trial Court in Davao City on April 29.
According to reports, the respondents include Ramil Madriaga, Joel Saballa, and several unnamed “co-conspirators, confederators, cooperators and connivers.”
In the lawsuit, Carpio alleged that the respondents conspired to “blacken, degrade, destroy and harm” the political standing of Vice President Duterte, while also damaging his own reputation.
Carpio claimed the accusations were part of a coordinated “black propaganda” campaign allegedly aimed at weakening Duterte politically ahead of the 2028 elections.
The complaint seeks P1 million in actual damages for alleged lost income and legal opportunities; P3 million in moral damages for “serious anxiety” and a “besmirched reputation”; P3 million in exemplary damages; and at least P300,000 in attorney’s fees and litigation expenses.
The lawsuit comes amid the continuing political and legal battles surrounding the Vice President following impeachment proceedings at the House of Representatives.
Earlier, the House Committee on Justice found probable cause to impeach Duterte over allegations that include misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, corruption, and alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other officials. Duterte has repeatedly denied the accusations.
Carpio has also pursued separate legal actions connected to the impeachment proceedings.
Earlier this year, he filed complaints against officials of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and several lawmakers over the disclosure of financial records presented during impeachment hearings.
A Quezon City court also dismissed one of Carpio’s petitions seeking to stop the impeachment proceedings, ruling that trial courts do not have jurisdiction over impeachment matters.
The newly filed Davao lawsuit is separate from those earlier cases and focuses on damages Carpio claims he personally suffered because of the impeachment controversy.
Court records showed the complaint was filed before the Regional Trial Court in Davao City on April 29.
According to reports, the respondents include Ramil Madriaga, Joel Saballa, and several unnamed “co-conspirators, confederators, cooperators and connivers.”
In the lawsuit, Carpio alleged that the respondents conspired to “blacken, degrade, destroy and harm” the political standing of Vice President Duterte, while also damaging his own reputation.
Carpio claimed the accusations were part of a coordinated “black propaganda” campaign allegedly aimed at weakening Duterte politically ahead of the 2028 elections.
The complaint seeks P1 million in actual damages for alleged lost income and legal opportunities; P3 million in moral damages for “serious anxiety” and a “besmirched reputation”; P3 million in exemplary damages; and at least P300,000 in attorney’s fees and litigation expenses.
The lawsuit comes amid the continuing political and legal battles surrounding the Vice President following impeachment proceedings at the House of Representatives.
Earlier, the House Committee on Justice found probable cause to impeach Duterte over allegations that include misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, corruption, and alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other officials. Duterte has repeatedly denied the accusations.
Carpio has also pursued separate legal actions connected to the impeachment proceedings.
Earlier this year, he filed complaints against officials of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and several lawmakers over the disclosure of financial records presented during impeachment hearings.
A Quezon City court also dismissed one of Carpio’s petitions seeking to stop the impeachment proceedings, ruling that trial courts do not have jurisdiction over impeachment matters.
The newly filed Davao lawsuit is separate from those earlier cases and focuses on damages Carpio claims he personally suffered because of the impeachment controversy.
May 13, 2026
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