Atty. Paolo Panelo on Friday rejected claims by alleged bagman Ramil Madriaga that he has been receiving threats from former Negros Oriental representative Arnie Teves, describing the allegation as false and inconsistent.
“The claim that Teves wants him dead is comical,” Panelo said.
Panelo said the allegation follows what he described as a pattern of false statements by Madriaga regarding his supposed association with Vice President Sara Duterte, as well as his personal background. He said these claims have shifted over time and have been contradicted by official accounts.
He also criticized the House Justice Committee for accepting the allegation, saying it reflects a willingness to consider unverified claims in ongoing proceedings.
Panelo said Madriaga had earlier claimed that Duterte visited him in jail to persuade him not to testify. He said this was later contradicted by authorities, citing Jonvic Remulla, who clarified that Duterte visited Teves, not Madriaga.
He added that after this clarification, Madriaga changed his account and is now alleging that Duterte, through Teves, is behind supposed threats to his life.
Panelo said the shift in Madriaga’s statements raises questions about the consistency of his claims, particularly in light of the ongoing legal proceedings.
The dispute comes as Duterte filed a perjury complaint against Madriaga on March 4, 2026, accusing him of fabricating claims that he delivered large sums of money on her behalf.
Both Teves and Madriaga are detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, where separate cases against them are being handled.
