Joel Chua, chairman of the Philippine House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, stated that if it is confirmed that part of the funds for the 2022 election campaign came from Chinese nationals associated with Pharmally, Vice President Sara Duterte may have violated election law.
He said that under Section 81 of the Omnibus Election Code, foreigners are prohibited from providing campaign funds to candidates; Section 96 also stipulates that candidates or political parties may not directly or indirectly solicit or accept such donations.
He indicated that if the donors are confirmed to be foreign citizens, it would constitute a clear violation and could also involve constitutional liabilities.
According to the allegations, a so-called “funding intermediary” for the Duterte camp, Ramil Madriaja, claimed to have received tens of millions of pesos from Pharmally chief financial officer Lin Wei-xiong, and businessman Lin (also known as Tony Yang), and his brother Michael Yang, to be used for the vice presidential campaign.
Chua pointed out that these individuals are also said to have close ties with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Among them, Yang had served as his economic adviser and was implicated in illegal offshore gaming operations (POGO).
It is claimed that the above funds were operated through “Social Justice, Innovation, and Progress Initiative Philippines” (ISIP), an organization founded by Madriaja, originally meaning “Inday Sara is my President,” aimed at supporting Duterte's 2022 candidacy.
Madriaja stated that the organization was established in 2020 at the instruction of Duterte and the former president, and subsequently took charge of raising funds from allies, including a reported 175 million pesos from Lin Wei-xiong and 100 million pesos from Lin.
The funds in question were reportedly used for the nationwide campaign, including setting up branches, producing campaign materials, travel expenses, office rent, and volunteer allowances.
On the other hand, Chua said that if Duterte’s side is willing to respond to the allegations at the impeachment hearing, the judiciary committee is open to accepting her sworn statements or evidence.
However, Duterte has so far not attended any hearing and has filed an application with the Supreme Court to suspend the related impeachment proceedings.
He indicated that if the donors are confirmed to be foreign citizens, it would constitute a clear violation and could also involve constitutional liabilities.
According to the allegations, a so-called “funding intermediary” for the Duterte camp, Ramil Madriaja, claimed to have received tens of millions of pesos from Pharmally chief financial officer Lin Wei-xiong, and businessman Lin (also known as Tony Yang), and his brother Michael Yang, to be used for the vice presidential campaign.
Chua pointed out that these individuals are also said to have close ties with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Among them, Yang had served as his economic adviser and was implicated in illegal offshore gaming operations (POGO).
It is claimed that the above funds were operated through “Social Justice, Innovation, and Progress Initiative Philippines” (ISIP), an organization founded by Madriaja, originally meaning “Inday Sara is my President,” aimed at supporting Duterte's 2022 candidacy.
Madriaja stated that the organization was established in 2020 at the instruction of Duterte and the former president, and subsequently took charge of raising funds from allies, including a reported 175 million pesos from Lin Wei-xiong and 100 million pesos from Lin.
The funds in question were reportedly used for the nationwide campaign, including setting up branches, producing campaign materials, travel expenses, office rent, and volunteer allowances.
On the other hand, Chua said that if Duterte’s side is willing to respond to the allegations at the impeachment hearing, the judiciary committee is open to accepting her sworn statements or evidence.
However, Duterte has so far not attended any hearing and has filed an application with the Supreme Court to suspend the related impeachment proceedings.