A P6.77 billion financial trail presented during House hearings is being cited to counter claims that the impeachment inquiry involving Vice President Sara Duterte is merely a “fishing expedition.”
Records discussed in proceedings show a breakdown of transactions linked to Duterte and her spouse, including P4.4 billion in inflows, P1.5 billion in outflows not reflected in Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), and P2.8 billion in remaining balances that were also not declared.
Lawmakers said these figures, supported by financial documents and testimony from government agencies, indicate that the inquiry is based on verifiable records rather than speculation.
“Hindi ho ito haka-haka. Ito ay base sa mga dokumento at record na inilatag sa pagdinig,” said Terry Ridon, chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts and a member of the House Committee on Justice.
The financial data forms part of the broader impeachment proceedings, which also include allegations involving P612.5 million in confidential funds and reported threats against top government officials.
Assertions from Duterte’s camp that the complaints are defective have also been raised during the proceedings. Lawmakers, however, said these arguments have been repeatedly presented without altering the course of the inquiry.
“Hindi po totoo na defective ang impeachment complaints,” Ridon said, noting that the issue has been raised multiple times during hearings.
Officials emphasized that the scale and consistency of the financial records strengthen the evidentiary basis of the case, underscoring that the inquiry is grounded on documented transactions rather than exploratory claims.
