MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte remained noncommittal on Thursday regarding claims that she visited expelled Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

Asked in Davao City to clarify Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s disclosure, Duterte said: “Bahala sila kung anong gusto nilang sabihin. Basta ako, ang sinabi ko, hindi ko kilala si Ramil Madriaga.” (It’s up to them to say what they want to say. As for me, what I said is that I do not know Ramil Madriaga.)

Remulla earlier told reporters that Duterte did visit the BJMP facility in October, but stressed that she met with Teves, not her alleged former aide and supposed bagman Ramil Madriaga. He added that records of the visit were kept by the warden and that “wala daw pinagusapan masyado” (they did not talk about much).

Teves has been detained since his deportation from Timor-Leste in July 2024. He faces charges for allegedly masterminding the assassination of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo in March 2023, a case that has drawn national attention.

Lawyers for Madriaga, however, insisted that Duterte had visited their client twice, contradicting Remulla’s account.

The Vice President’s refusal to confirm or deny the visit has fueled speculation, with critics questioning the purpose of her alleged meeting with Teves. Duterte has consistently denied any ties to Madriaga, who previously testified about supposed cash deliveries linked to her office.

The controversy adds to ongoing scrutiny of Duterte’s political alliances and her role in high-profile cases, as she continues to face questions about transparency and accountability.