A House prosecutor has alleged that Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Atty. Mans Carpio, possesses at least 52 firearms that were not declared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), with the claim now forming part of the impeachment prosecution’s evidence before the Senate impeachment court.
Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon said the firearms were listed in the pre-trial brief submitted by the House prosecution panel and are part of the article on unexplained wealth being pursued against the Vice President.
The Bicolano solon said the firearms are all registered with the Philippine National Police (PNP), but were not reflected in Duterte’s SALN filings.
“We will get the list from the PNP Firearms Division on each and every firearm that is registered in the name of the vice president and her husband,” he said, adding that a subpoena will be issued for official records during the trial.
According to him, 23 of the firearms are registered under Duterte, while the remaining units are under Carpio. The inventory reportedly includes rifles, pistols, revolvers, and shotguns.
He said the prosecution intends to seek expert appraisal to determine the total value of the firearms, which he argued should have been disclosed in the SALN if properly declared as personal assets.
“Isa ’yan doon sa ipapa-subpoena po natin na mga ebidensya pagdating na po ng paglilitis mismo,” Ridon said.
“Hindi naman ho relevant sa amin kung saan ho nila ginagamit yun pong ganun karaming baril, ang mas mahalaga po sa amin hindi po ito nakalista sa SALN ng Pangalawang Pangulo na dapat inilista po niya,” he added.
He pointed out that the prosecution views the matter on three key grounds: the classification of firearms as regulated property that must be declared, the volume of weapons allegedly owned, and their corresponding value.
“At pangatlo yun pong usapin ng value nun pong mga pag-aaring baril. It was never disclosed in the SALN of the Vice President in any year,” he said.
He also noted that if the firearms were categorized under general SALN disclosures, their combined value would still need to be reflected in the official declaration of assets.
The House prosecution team said it will subpoena representatives from the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office, as well as firearms dealers, to verify ownership records and valuation during the impeachment proceedings.
The lawmaker drew parallels to past impeachment jurisprudence, citing the conviction of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, which included findings related to non-declaration of assets in SALNs.
The impeachment court is set to begin pre-trial proceedings on June 18, 2026, where evidentiary issues, witness lists, and procedural matters are expected to be finalized before trial proper begins.