Malacañang has firmly denied that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. possesses any personal knowledge regarding an alleged term-sharing agreement between himself and Vice President Sara Duterte. This statement comes in response to explosive claims made by former Duterte aide Ramil Madriaga during a recent House Committee on Justice hearing.
Palace Issues Official Statement
On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro addressed the media, stating, "At present, we will ascertain the complete truth in this matter, but what Mister Ramil Madriaga and former President Duterte discussed, we have no personal knowledge, even the President has no personal knowledge." Castro further emphasized the President's commitment, adding, "The president campaigned for the people, promised to serve the people, and pledged to complete the term for the nation."
Allegations from House Hearing
The controversy stems from a hearing held by the House Committee on Justice on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, concerning impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte. During the proceedings, Madriaga accused the Duterte family of orchestrating schemes to oust President Marcos should he refuse to comply with their alleged term-sharing pact.
Details of the Alleged Agreement
Madriaga testified that in mid-2021, President Marcos and his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, met with then-President Rodrigo Duterte to discuss a potential alliance for the 2022 national elections. According to his account, Marcos secured Duterte's support for a tandem with his daughter, Sara, under the condition that Marcos would step down from Malacañang in 2025 to pave the way for her presidency.
Madriaga claimed that shortly after Sara Duterte assumed the vice presidency, negotiations ensued—involving retired generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines—to ensure Marcos would serve less than a full four-year term. This maneuver was allegedly intended to preserve Sara Duterte's eligibility to run for president in the 2028 elections.
Serious Accusations of "Extraordinary Measures"
The most grave allegations put forth by Madriaga include discussions of "extraordinary measures" should President Marcos Jr. refuse to step down. These purported measures encompassed simultaneous resignations of government officials, civil disobedience campaigns, armed actions targeting Malacañang Palace, and even assassination plots against key officials to incite turmoil.
Investigation Launched
In response to the alleged assassination plot against President Marcos, Press Officer Castro confirmed that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into these serious claims. The Palace's denial and the subsequent probe highlight the escalating political tensions surrounding these allegations.
The unfolding scandal raises significant questions about political alliances and stability within the Philippine government, as both the administration and opposition grapple with these potentially destabilizing accusations.
