Sara Duterte faces legal setbacks in perjury dismissal and impeachment court

The Taguig City Prosecutors’ Office has dismissed a perjury complaint filed by Vice President Sara Duterte against her former aide, Ramil Madriaga, citing insufficient evidence. The prosecutors determined that the evidence provided failed to establish a prima facie case that Madriaga willfully made false statements under oath in violation of the Revised Penal Code.

Madriaga had previously submitted an affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman alleging that Duterte directed him to deliver large sums of money to various individuals and used funds from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators to support the “Inday Sara Duterte is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas” group. Duterte has denied these allegations.

Separately, in the Senate impeachment court, the defense for Vice President Duterte faced criticism for failing to file a motion to quash a subpoena for retired justice Cabotaje-Tang. While the defense argued that filing such a motion would have been premature and caused unnecessary delays, the court spokesperson noted that the legal window to contest the testimony had passed.