Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña on Wednesday claimed that a reported joint bank account allegedly owned by former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte remains "active," saying he was able to successfully deposit money into it.
During the third House impeachment hearing, Cendaña disclosed before the Justice Committee that he personally deposited ₱448 into one of the supposed accounts bearing the names of the Vice President and her father.
“Kahapon lang personal ako na nag-deposit sa isa sa mga alleged bank accounts na nakapangalan kina VP Sara Duterte at ang kanyang ama na si former President Rodrigo Duterte,” Cendaña said.
He added that the successful transaction contradicts the Dutertes’ previous denials regarding the existence or status of the account.
“Taliwas po sa kanilang patuloy na pagtanggi, lumabas na active pa ang account. Nakapag-deposit po tayo ng P448 doon sa isang account na ito,” he said.
Cendaña raised the issue as part of ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte, emphasizing that several questions remain unanswered due to her absence in committee hearings.
He argued that if there is nothing to hide, Duterte should face the committee and clarify matters before the public, especially given previous claims about the family’s modest lifestyle.
Cendaña further said that Duterte could have addressed the issue earlier by signing a waiver to allow scrutiny of her bank accounts.
“Kung walang sikreto si VP Sara, sana nag-sign na siya dati pa ng waiver. Kung wala siyang kinakatakutan, edi sana nilapag na niya ang totoong laman ng bank account niya,” he said.
“Higit isang dekada na pong naghihintay ang taumbayan na makita ang buong kayamanan ni VP Sara Duterte at ng kanyang pamilya,” Cendaña said, noting that a motion had earlier been made to invite the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to assist in the inquiry.
“This should not have never been kept a secret. A public servant obligation sa konstitusyon at sa taong bayan ay maging bukas sa ating financial transactions and lifestyle,” he added.
The lawmaker also questioned discrepancies in the Vice President’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), particularly the reported disappearance of declared cash on hand or bank deposits between 2019 and 2024.
In addition, he raised questions about the flow of funds, asking how income—such as salaries and encashed checks—is processed if the family maintains a simple lifestyle.
