House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson Terry Ridon on Friday dismissed the explanation that bank deposits were classified under “Others” in Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), saying the justification undermines transparency and accountability.
Ridon criticized Duterte’s legal team for raising the explanation in a press briefing instead of addressing the issue during impeachment proceedings, which the Vice President and her lawyers have repeatedly skipped.
“The truth is not something you hide under ‘Others.’ It should be clearly stated to the public,” Ridon said, stressing that vague disclosures in a sworn document raise serious concerns.
He said the issue becomes more significant when viewed alongside findings from the Anti-Money Laundering Council, which flagged P6.77 billion in covered and suspicious transactions linked to Duterte and her husband.
“This is not just a matter of classification. There is a broader context involving billions in financial activity, which makes clear and accurate disclosure even more critical,” he said.
According to Ridon, the use of broad or unclear categories in SALNs risks weakening the integrity of the disclosure system, which is meant to provide a transparent view of an official’s financial standing.
“A SALN is a sworn legal document. It must be complete, specific, and free from ambiguity. Bank deposits are basic assets and should not be obscured under catch-all labels,” he said.
He also raised concern over what he described as a pattern of declaring zero cash in bank over several years, calling it an issue of consistency and credibility.
“If there were funds moving through accounts, those should be properly reflected in official disclosures,” Ridon said.
The lawmaker emphasized that government employees at all levels are held to strict standards in filing SALNs, noting that even minor discrepancies can lead to sanctions.
“Accountability should apply equally. If ordinary employees are penalized for small errors, then issues involving millions or billions deserve even greater scrutiny,” he said.
Ridon said the public deserves clear answers, not technical explanations, especially when large financial transactions are involved.
“If funds existed, why were they not properly declared? That is the core issue,” he said, warning that failure to provide a credible explanation could raise serious questions about accountability and public trust.