Supreme Court Detention Order for Duterte’s “Bagman” Proven False

Ramil Madriaga, alleged former “bagman” of Vice President Sara Duterte, remains in police custody due to a 2023 kidnapping-for-ransom case before a Manila Regional Trial Court—not because of any Supreme Court directive as falsely claimed in recent social media posts.

The misleading claim surfaced in a YouTube video posted on April 15, 2026, by “PINAS BALITA TV,” a channel posing as a legitimate news outlet with 170,000 subscribers. The video, which has garnered over 9,200 views and hundreds of interactions, bore the sensational title: “Nakarma na! Madriaga wala ng takas! Himas rehas na! Matinding utos ng Korte Suprema, pirmado na!” (He got his karma! No escape for Madriaga! Behind bars now! A strong order from the Supreme Court has been signed!).

Fact-checking reveals no such Supreme Court order exists. Madriaga has been held at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) since 2023, pursuant to commitment orders from the Manila RTC Branch 21 where his kidnapping-for-ransom case remains pending.

Despite his ongoing detention, Madriaga made headlines in late 2025 when he executed a notarized affidavit dated November 29, 2025, which he submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman by December 15 of that year. The document contained explosive allegations regarding his previous connections to Vice President Duterte and claimed involvement in activities related to confidential funds, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), and intelligence operations.

These allegations later formed part of the foundation for House impeachment complaints filed against the Vice President in 2026, thrusting Madriaga back into the national spotlight despite his incarceration.

On April 14, 2026, Madriaga was temporarily released from BJMP custody under court approval to testify before the House justice committee during its second impeachment hearing against Duterte. During this closely watched appearance, Madriaga testified under oath, reaffirming claims made in his 2025 affidavit before being returned to detention the same day.

In his testimony, Madriaga made the stunning assertion that P125 million in Office of the Vice President (OVP) confidential funds for December 2022 was spent within a single 24-hour period—not over 11 days as previously reported. He detailed his alleged role in coordinating the transfer of cash bundles to various locations including Cabuyao, Quezon City, and near the Office of the Ombudsman.

The financial implications of these allegations gained further credibility days after the hearing when the Commission on Audit (COA) issued a notice of disallowance dated March 31, 2026. The notice ordered the return of P375 million in OVP confidential funds from 2023, while reinforcing an earlier final ruling requiring the restitution of P73 million in disallowed confidential expenses from 2022. The OVP has been given 180 days to contest this latest decision.

The false claim about a Supreme Court detention order appears to be part of a growing trend of misinformation surrounding high-profile political cases in the Philippines. Such fabrications can significantly impact public perception during sensitive proceedings like impeachment hearings.

For now, Madriaga remains in detention for charges unrelated to his testimony against the Vice President, with his case continuing to unfold in the lower courts—not the Supreme Court as erroneously claimed.