NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
'She Smiled And Waved': Madriaga Claims VP Sara Visited Him In Jail During Detention
Photo credit: NCRPO
As the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte continue, impeachment resource person Ramil L. Madriaga has made another striking claim—this time saying the Vice President personally appeared and even spoke to him while he was detained in 2025.
In a sworn supplemental affidavit, Madriaga said the alleged encounter happened in October 2025 at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Annex 2 inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, where he was being held on kidnapping charges.
He said the moment came unexpectedly when he was called to the office of Jail Warden Jose Marie Sabiniano.
“As I made my way to the office, I was surprised to see Sara through the metal railings… she smiled and waved at me,” Madriaga said in his statement.
Madriaga added that once inside the warden’s office, he was handed a phone and, upon greeting, recognized the voice of the Vice President on the line.
He claimed she asked about his condition in detention and expressed apologies for not being able to help with his legal situation.
But for Madriaga, the encounter carried deeper meaning. He said it contradicted earlier claims denying any personal or professional relationship between them.
He also expressed disappointment, saying he felt abandoned despite what he described as years of support and cooperation.
Madriaga linked his detention to a separate legal battle involving former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, whom he accused of filing a kidnapping case against him in retaliation after he tried to expose alleged irregularities involving land and POGO-linked operations.
He said the dispute traces back to his work with farmers in Mariveles, Bataan, who sought help over alleged land-grabbing involving First Bataan Mariveles Holdings Corporation.
Madriaga also claimed he personally brought the matter to Duterte, even arranging a meeting between the farmers and the Vice President in Taguig, but said she later declined to engage once the company was identified.
He further alleged links between individuals connected to the land dispute and offshore gaming firms operating in Pampanga, though these claims remain part of his sworn affidavit and have not been independently verified.
Madriaga ended his statement insisting that the detention encounter, along with previous meetings and calls, proves a continuing personal link with the Vice President—contradicting her earlier denial of any affiliation with him.
The allegations remain under the impeachment record as proceedings continue.
In a sworn supplemental affidavit, Madriaga said the alleged encounter happened in October 2025 at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Annex 2 inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, where he was being held on kidnapping charges.
He said the moment came unexpectedly when he was called to the office of Jail Warden Jose Marie Sabiniano.
“As I made my way to the office, I was surprised to see Sara through the metal railings… she smiled and waved at me,” Madriaga said in his statement.
Madriaga added that once inside the warden’s office, he was handed a phone and, upon greeting, recognized the voice of the Vice President on the line.
He claimed she asked about his condition in detention and expressed apologies for not being able to help with his legal situation.
But for Madriaga, the encounter carried deeper meaning. He said it contradicted earlier claims denying any personal or professional relationship between them.
He also expressed disappointment, saying he felt abandoned despite what he described as years of support and cooperation.
Madriaga linked his detention to a separate legal battle involving former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, whom he accused of filing a kidnapping case against him in retaliation after he tried to expose alleged irregularities involving land and POGO-linked operations.
He said the dispute traces back to his work with farmers in Mariveles, Bataan, who sought help over alleged land-grabbing involving First Bataan Mariveles Holdings Corporation.
Madriaga also claimed he personally brought the matter to Duterte, even arranging a meeting between the farmers and the Vice President in Taguig, but said she later declined to engage once the company was identified.
He further alleged links between individuals connected to the land dispute and offshore gaming firms operating in Pampanga, though these claims remain part of his sworn affidavit and have not been independently verified.
Madriaga ended his statement insisting that the detention encounter, along with previous meetings and calls, proves a continuing personal link with the Vice President—contradicting her earlier denial of any affiliation with him.
The allegations remain under the impeachment record as proceedings continue.
Apr 14, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
