Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. urged the Office of the Ombudsman Friday, Dec. 12 to investigate the alleged affidavit of Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga, who claimed that Vice President Sara Duterte’s election campaign effort in 2022 was funded with money from Philippine Offshore and Gaming Operators (POGO) and drug dealers.

Abante also prodded the relevant committees of the House of Representatives to do the same, as he underscored the gravity of Madriaga's allegations.

“These are serious allegations and are all contained in a sworn affidavit. Napakadetalyado ng mga kwento ni Madriaga (Madriaga gave very detailed accounts). We need to investigate this thoroughly if there is any truth to any of his claims,” Abante said in a statement Friday, Dec. 12.

“Ang pagtanggap ng campaign contributions mula sa POGO at drug dealers ay hindi lamang iligal, kung ito nga ay totoo (If this is true, then accepting campaign contributions from POGOs and drug dealers isn't just illegal). This also has implications on national security dahil ang POGO ay connected sa China (since POGOs are connected to China).

"Kailangan nating malaman kung tumanggap ng pera si VP Duterte sa mga POGO at drug lords (We need to find out if VP Duterte received money from POGOs and drug lords),” noted the House third-termer.

Among the acts Madriaga alleged were cash deliveries he personally made at a Timog comedy bar where then-Office of the Vice President (OVP) spokesperson Reynold Munsayac was supposedly present, handoffs in the Office of the Ombudsman parking area and at SM Megamall, a delivery using a white Toyota Vios carrying as much as P80 million, and repeated drop-offs at a residence in Jordan Plains, Novaliches.

He also claimed to have organized the Inday Sara Duterte Is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas network and to have worked under figures connected to the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG).

Abante said these allegations require an independent review.

The Manila lawmaker stressed that a credible inquiry must gather documents, reconcile timelines and place the claims under oath in open proceedings so the public can scrutinize the facts and weigh the denials already issued by those named.

Abante, chairman of House Committee on Human Rights, says the Ombudsman is well-positioned to undertake a parallel fact-finding, given its mandate over alleged misuse of public office and possible corruption.

Meanwhile, congressional hearings can expose policy gaps on campaign finance, anti-money laundering coverage and security group protocols that may need tightening.

“Kung hindi naman totoo, lalabas din naman ito sa imbestigasyon (If it's not true then the investigation will also bear that out),” he noted.