A Davao-based artist has disputed online claims by Ramil Madriaga over the origin of a painting associated with Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, saying she personally gave the artwork to Duterte in 2021 when the latter was still mayor of Davao City.
In a social media post cited by local media accounts, artist Tanya Gaisano Lee said: “I gifted this painting to VP Sara when she was Mayor of Davao City in 2021. Anything stated otherwise is FALSE.”
She also rejected claims tied to her background, saying she was not a scholar, was not from Laguna, and was from Davao.
The statement directly contradicted assertions attributed to Madriaga during a House hearing, according to posts by DZRH News and other local accounts that carried Lee’s clarification.
The dispute is the latest wrinkle in a broader controversy involving Madriaga, whose claims linked to Duterte have previously been denied by the vice president and her camp.
In March, GMA News reported that Duterte’s lawyer described some of Madriaga’s allegations as false, while Manila Bulletin earlier carried Duterte’s denial of ties to him.
Madriaga had not publicly responded to Lee’s statement in the sources reviewed.
Business News Asia
