MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday accused the Marcos administration of political persecution over the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) probe into alleged discrepancies in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).
Duterte’s spokesperson, Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr., described the NBI’s findings as a “shameless smear campaign” and questioned the bureau’s decision to publicize the alleged property discrepancies before formally notifying the Vice President and giving her an opportunity to respond.
“The series of press conferences by NBI Director Melvin Matibag on supposed discrepancies in properties declared in the Vice President’s SALN is just the latest example of the Marcos administration’s weaponization of government institutions for political persecution,” Panelo said.
PANELO QUESTIONS NBI’S HANDLING OF FINDINGS
Panelo criticized NBI Director Melvin Matibag for publicly discussing the findings before turning over the bureau’s report to the Office of the Ombudsman.
He claimed the sequence of events limited Duterte’s opportunity to prepare a comprehensive response to the allegations. Panelo also cited the Vice President’s previous denial of Matibag’s allegations involving the Rodulfo Gracioso project.
“That is not the work of a fair and impartial investigative body. That is a shameless smear campaign against the Vice President using public funds, headlined by a man with a documented conflict of interest against her,” Panelo said.
The allegations of political persecution and bias were raised by Duterte’s camp. The NBI’s findings, meanwhile, concern alleged discrepancies involving properties reportedly linked to the Vice President and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
CAMP QUESTIONS ABSENCE OF NBI FINDINGS IN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL
Panelo also questioned why the NBI’s findings were not presented by the prosecution in Duterte’s ongoing impeachment trial, where allegations concerning her wealth and SALN declarations are being examined.
“If the NBI’s findings were truly credible or reliable, then why were they excluded by the prosecution in the impeachment trial where alleged undeclared or misdeclared properties in the Vice President’s SALN are precisely at issue,” he said.
He argued that presenting the findings during the trial would have allowed the defense to examine the evidence, challenge its authenticity and offer a rebuttal.
NBI REPORT CITES PROPERTIES IN THREE LOCATIONS
The statement came a day after the NBI disclosed alleged discrepancies involving properties in Davao City, Parañaque City and Samal, Davao del Norte, which the bureau said were linked to Duterte and Carpio.
Among the properties cited by Matibag was one associated with Davao Prime Bistro, with a reported acquisition cost of P10 million, and another property in Parañaque City valued by the NBI at P14.4 million.
Matibag said the three additional properties were included in a 78-page report referred to the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday.
Duterte has denied owning the properties and alleged that the investigation was intended to undermine her expected presidential bid in 2028. Her camp has also questioned Matibag’s impartiality.
DUTERTE CAMP MAINTAINS SALNS WERE PROPERLY DECLARED
Panelo maintained that Duterte had accurately declared all her assets and liabilities in her SALNs.
He said the Vice President was confident she could establish her position during the impeachment trial and, if necessary, before the Ombudsman once she received formal notice of the allegations.
The NBI findings and the allegations raised by Duterte’s camp remain distinct positions in the dispute. The bureau’s report has been referred to the Ombudsman, while Duterte’s camp maintains that the Vice President has properly declared her assets.
Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth are disclosures intended to promote transparency and accountability among public officials. Alleged discrepancies in such declarations may be examined by the appropriate authorities, depending on the circumstances and applicable laws.
The NBI’s referral of its report to the Office of the Ombudsman places the allegations before another government body for appropriate action. The reported findings and accusations do not, by themselves, establish wrongdoing.