The Makabayan Bloc has called for the immediate resumption of congressional hearings into Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged involvement in illegal activities, following her announcement of a 2028 presidential bid. Lawmakers from ACT Teachers, Gabriela, and Kabataan Partylist emphasized that the Filipino people deserve clarity on serious accusations tied to confidential funds, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), and drug syndicates.
Allegations Raised in Hearings
The Quad Committee and the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability previously examined the sworn statement of Ramil Madriaga, an alleged security consultant. Madriaga implicated Duterte in questionable operations, including:
- Oplan Double Barrel support activities linked to the drug war.
- Confidential fund deliveries allegedly facilitated by military officials Col. Raymund Dante Lachica and Col. Dennis Nolasco.
- POGO financing purportedly funneled into Duterte’s political campaign.
- Drug shipments via magnetic lifters that reportedly passed through customs.
According to the bloc, these claims suggest connections between the Office of the Vice President and criminal syndicates, illegal gambling, and narcotics trafficking.
Calls for Accountability
The lawmakers questioned Duterte’s repeated assertions of proper fund usage, citing allegations of cash-filled vehicles being dropped off in parking lots. They also raised concerns about campaign financing allegedly sourced from POGO operators and drug dealers—groups her father’s administration claimed to combat.
“If Madriaga’s statements are true, this represents a betrayal of public trust of historic proportions,” the bloc declared.
Human Rights Dimension
Beyond financial and criminal allegations, the Makabayan Bloc urged the committees to investigate political extrajudicial killings of activists, journalists, lawyers, and community organizers during the Duterte administration. They highlighted the relevance of these probes in light of the upcoming International Criminal Court pre-trial proceedings against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The group stressed that accountability must extend to state security forces, intelligence agencies, and paramilitary groups allegedly involved in these killings.
Broader Implications
The bloc underscored that their push is not a partisan maneuver but a demand for transparency and justice. “This is about accountability and the right of the Filipino people to know the truth,” they said.
With Duterte’s presidential bid now declared, the hearings take on heightened significance, potentially shaping public perception and the political landscape leading up to 2028.