The House Committee on Justice has placed Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) at the center of its impeachment findings, citing a discrepancy between her declared assets and financial records reviewed by lawmakers.
Committee chair Gerville Luistro said Duterte’s SALN, which reportedly indicated no cash or cash deposits, appears inconsistent with other documents examined during the hearings.
“Ang SALN ay malinaw—walang cash o cash deposit,” Luistro said, pointing to what she described as a contradiction with financial records presented to the panel.
The committee reviewed reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Commission on Audit, along with other financial documents linked to the Vice President and her husband. Luistro cited Anti-Money Laundering Council findings indicating alleged transactions amounting to ₱6.7 billion, as well as Commission on Audit observations involving refund orders tied to confidential funds.
Lawmakers also cited Securities and Exchange Commission records raising questions about the financial performance of companies associated with Duterte, which reportedly showed no income despite continued operations.
Luistro noted that findings previously raised by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV appeared to align with data presented during the hearings.
During the proceedings, the panel also acknowledged the existence of sealed documents from the Bureau of Internal Revenue but chose not to open them.
Luistro said that by April 29, the committee had determined there was sufficient basis to proceed, citing unresolved issues and Duterte’s absence from the hearings.
“By a unanimous vote, the Committee found probable cause to impeach Vice President Sara Z. Duterte for culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, and betrayal of public trust,” she said.
The committee is set to transmit its report and Articles of Impeachment to the House plenary, where lawmakers will decide whether to elevate the case to the Senate for trial.