Manila: A former associate of Vice President Sara Duterte has alleged that her 2022 campaign received financial backing from a figure linked to Pharmally Pharmaceuticals and other businessmen. Ramil Madriaga, who identified himself as a former 'bagman' for Duterte, provided a sworn affidavit in the ongoing impeachment proceedings against her, outlining the alleged funding sources for her campaign.

According to Philippines News Agency, Madriaga claimed to have helped form a group called 'Inday Sara is My President' (ISIP), which was purportedly used to organize and finance Duterte's presidential ambitions before she opted to run as vice president. He alleged that the funding for ISIP was sourced from supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte, including Lin Wei Xiong, identified as a financial officer at Pharmally Pharmaceuticals.

Pharmally was previously embroiled in controversy during Senate investigations concerning lucrative government contracts for medical supplies amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Madriaga asserted that in mid-2021, he personally received PHP175 million in cash from Lin at a Quezon City hotel. He recounted that the money, delivered in backpacks and bags, was intended to support Duterte's election campaign.

Further implicating other financiers, Madriaga mentioned receiving an additional PHP100 million from Maestrado Lim, a foreign businessman he encountered in Davao City. He also named businessman Michael Yang, a former economic adviser to Rodrigo Duterte, as a financial contributor. Yang has been previously mentioned in congressional probes, including the 2024 House Quad Committee hearings, for alleged involvement in illegal activities.

Madriaga's testimony also highlighted the involvement of other individuals in ISIP's activities, including Assistant Special Prosecutor Ryan Rey Quilala from the Office of the Ombudsman. Madriaga alleged delivering PHP15 million to Quilala, Duterte's former law professor, as part of the campaign funds.

The claims are currently under review by the House Committee on Justice to determine if there is sufficient evidence to move forward with the impeachment case to the Senate.