VP bank accounts may be examined in impeach probe

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives may examine Vice President Sara Duterte’s bank records as part of the impeachment proceedings, House deputy speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V said yesterday, noting that allegations of unexplained wealth and possible omissions in her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) cannot be ignored.

Ortega described the accusations raised in the fourth impeachment complaint as “serious and disturbing,” noting claims that “certain bank accounts, properties and significant cash movements were allegedly not fully reflected in Duterte’s SALNs.”

He said these matters “must be reconciled with SALN disclosures,” particularly where, as alleged, “sworn accounts of large cash transfers” have allegedly been made.

Like the three other impeachment complaints against the Vice President, it was transmitted to the Office of Speaker Faustino Dy III.

In his complaint, Cabrera asked the House, through the appropriate committee, to issue subpoenas for bank records covering deposits, withdrawals, transfers and account activity from 2019 to 2025, as well as to coordinate with agencies such as the Commission on Audit, Bureau of Internal Revenue and Anti-Money Laundering Council.

It also proposed commissioning an independent forensic accounting team to reconcile SALNs with bank and property records.

The complaint said “the legal bases for this Article include the constitutional requirement for public disclosure of assets, Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees), jurisprudence recognizing exceptions to bank secrecy in corruption and bribery cases and this Honorable House of Representatives’ investigatory powers in impeachment proceedings.”

The resolution on the complaints of inciting to sedition and grave threats against Duterte is being reviewed, according to Department of Justice spokesman Polo Martinez.

Asked if Duterte’s announcement to run for president  would affect the resolution, Martinez said: “Whether or not Sara announced her intention to run for the presidency will not affect the assessment by the prosecutor of the pending case.”

Stronger support

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco believes the fourth impeachment complaint filed against Duterte has more chance of securing support from House members.

He noted that the first three were endorsed by the minority while the fourth was endorsed by two senior party leaders belonging to the Lakas-CMD and the National Unity Party.

“With those two, you would already be beyond one-third (of the members), if they manage to convince their parties to support it,” Tiangco told “Storycon” on One News.

He said some lawmakers were already hesitant to impeach Duterte even before she announced her intent to run for president. — Ghio Ong, Janvic Mateo