Duterte perjury case vs. Madriaga dismissed

The perjury complaint filed by Vice President Sara Duterte against her alleged former aide Ramil Madriaga has been dismissed by the Taguig City Prosecutors’ Office for lack of sufficient evidence.

In its 19-page resolution released Thursday, the prosecutors’ office said the evidence presented by Duterte failed to establish a strong enough basis to pursue the case under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code.

“While complainant has presented evidence disputing respondent’s assertions, the evidence presently on record does not establish prima facie, with reasonable certainty of conviction, that respondent knowingly and willfully made materially false statements under oath in violation of Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code,” the resolution said.

Duterte lodged the case after Madriaga submitted an affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman alleging that she had directed him to deliver large amounts of money to various individuals.

Madriaga also alleged that Duterte used funds from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators to support the “Inday Sara Duterte is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas,” a group he claimed to have organized on her instructions in connection with her presidential bid.

Duterte has denied the allegations made by Madriaga.

The prosecutors’ ruling means the complaint will not proceed based on the evidence currently on record, with the office finding insufficient basis to establish that Madriaga deliberately made false statements under oath.