Vice President Sara Duterte denied allegations that she received assistance from a professor to pass law school, responding to statements made by Ramil Madriaga during a House Justice Committee impeachment hearing.
In a statement, Duterte said that among the accusations raised against her, the allegation that someone helped her pass law school was the most significant issue for her.
Madriaga, in his affidavit presented during the hearing, claimed that he formed a group called “ISIP” together with friends of Duterte at San Sebastian College of Law. He identified Assistant Special Prosecutor Ryan Rey Quilala as one of the individuals involved and said Quilala had served as Duterte’s professor.
According to Madriaga, Quilala allegedly told him that Duterte struggled academically and was described as habitually rude and violent toward other students.
Madriaga further alleged that Quilala used his influence at San Sebastian College of Law to help Duterte pass despite what he described as poor academic performance.
Duterte denied these claims, stating that she never approached any professor to seek special accommodation for her grades. She added that meeting the required minimum academic standards was not difficult to achieve.
She also denied allegations that complaints were filed against her for being rude or violent.
The vice president said she graduated from law school in May 2005 and passed the Bar examinations with a general weighted average of 80 within one year, which she described as the first such achievement at their law school.
Duterte also urged the public not to believe Madriaga’s statements, questioning his credibility.
In her remarks, she additionally criticized the administration, alleging a lack of assistance for those affected by price increases and claiming that public funds were being used for political purposes.
