Vice President Sara Duterte – Photo from Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook
Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday declined to confirm or deny reports that she visited former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
Her remarks followed Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s statement that Duterte visited Teves at the BJMP facility on October 19.
The situation comes amid claims that Duterte allegedly visited her former aide, Ramil Madriaga, twice to prevent him from testifying against her in a corruption-related case.
Madriaga has accused Duterte of instructing him to deliver large sums of money to various individuals, allegations she has consistently denied.
When asked to comment on Remulla’s disclosure, Duterte repeated her earlier statement that she does not know Madriaga.
“Let them say whatever they want. As for me, what I said is that I don’t know Ramil Madriaga,” she said, offering no explanation for the reported visit to Teves.
Duterte also said, “We already released statements. If all the accusations have no evidence, then it is just slander. And if it is slander, it is still connected to the 2028 presidential elections.”
When pressed further about the purpose or frequency of her visit to Teves, she replied, “I have nothing to confirm or deny. If they want to talk, let them talk. All I’m saying is, I don’t know Ramil Madriaga.”
Teves is currently detained at the BJMP facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in connection with the assassination of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo in March 2023, known as the Pamplona Massacre.
Duterte’s refusal to comment has drawn attention amid ongoing scrutiny over her alleged involvement in controversies surrounding her former aide and other political figures.