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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman starts probe into allegations vs Martires, Quilala

Ombudsman starts probe into allegations vs Martires, Quilala

Published Apr 16, 2026 04:23 pm
The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, April 16, said it has started investigating into the allegations made by  Ramil Madriaga that former Ombudsman Samuel Martires and Assistant Special Prosecutor Ryan Rey Quilala both received money from Vice President Sara Duterte.
During a press briefing, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said they are prioritizing the allegations hurled against Quilala.
Clavano said the Ombudsman has issued a show cause order to give Quilala the opportunity to explain his side and make his defense to the accusation that he "used his influence at San Sebastian College - Law to ensure that Sara received passing grades despite her poor academic performance."
"From our monitoring of the impeachment hearing, it seems to be much deeper," said Clavano as he noted that Madriaga's affidavit even included photos and videos.
On the other hand, Clavano said that the accusation against Martires was "grave." 
"That is something we are discussing internally," he said. “Accountability will come once we are able to figure out ano talaga nangyari (what really happened)," he added.
While many individuals have been questioning Madriaga's credibility as a witness during the House Committee on Justice's impeachment hearing, Clavano said the Ombudsman will save its assessment when they get the chance to talk to Madriaga.
He said that they will tackle the same issues with the reported bagman after the House hearings. "I believe the credibility will be seen more when we are able to have a face-to-face talk with him," he added. 
At the same time, Clavano said that the Office of the Ombudsman has received another subpoena from the House Committee on Justice to attend its April 22 hearing.
He said: "We will be there to offer whatever information we have. We'll go from there." 
Madriaga alleged during the impeachment hearing on April 14 that he had gotten quite close to Quilala, who admitted to him that Sara Duterte "was not particularly good in school, was often struggling with her academics, and [was] habitually rude and violent to other students."
He also claimed that he delivered cash to Quilala from Sara Duterte. He alleged to have delivered money to Martires under the instructions of Sara Duterte and her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Martires has already denied the allegations made by Madriaga. "If the public's perception that I am close to former President Rodrigo Duterte is true, then why would the former President send me money through a nonentity when [he] can easily summon me so he can give me money?" he said in a message shared to reporters.
He even took a jab against Madriaga and called him an "insignificant person," and said: "Why will also the VP send me money through an insignificant person when she doesn't know me personally? What business does the VP have with me to be sent an amount of money?"

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Ombudsman Ramil Madriaga Samuel Martires
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