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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara's 'bagman' seeks NBI's help for forensic exams on 3 phones

VP Sara's 'bagman' seeks NBI's help for forensic exams on 3 phones

Published Dec 18, 2025 01:35 pm
Ramil L. Madriaga, the alleged "bagman" of Vice President Sara Duterte, sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for a forensic examination of his three cellular telephones to substantiate his claims against her.
In a letter on Dec. 18 to NBI Acting Director Angelito Magno, the Palad Lauron Palad & Te Law Firm said that the three phones owned by Madriaga were previously confiscated in connection with the Criminal Case No. R-MNL-22-05157-68-CR and are currently being kept by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 21.
The letter stated that the requested forensic examination and data backup are being sought to "preserve and extract communications data from said devices in a forensically sound manner to support and substantiate his aforesaid allegations."
The law firm also said that Madriaga has voluntarily consented to the forensic examination and data backup of the cellular telephones, and has waived his data privacy rights and confidentiality claims he may have over the phones.
Madriaga had earlier submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman his affidavit that detailed his assertions that the national campaign funds of the Vice President in 2022 were funded by drug dealers and operators of Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO).
“I was able to identify several of these individuals during my frequent pickups of cash-filled bags at locations such as The Gate in Pampanga, Vertis North Mall, and Seda Hotel in Quezon City, and the Grand Hyatt in BGC,” Madriaga's affidavit stated.
The Office of the Vice President has denied Madriaga’s claims.
Philippine Army (PA) Col. Raymund Dante P. Lachica, former head of the Vice-Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG), also denied any ties linking Madriaga to Duterte.
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