The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is investigating a newly established real estate company allegedly linked to associates of Vice President Sara Duterte as part of its inquiry into her alleged unexplained wealth and potentially misdeclared properties.
According to DZRH’s Jecelle Ricafort, NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag identified Westgate88 Real Estate Development Corporation as the subject of the investigation, noting that the company is relatively new but reportedly holds numerous land assets.
According to Matibag, the bureau has identified the involvement of several lawyers in the company, including an associate of Duterte-Carpio Law Offices and the president of Westgate88.
The NBI director said investigators found connections between these individuals and properties declared by Duterte in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
The bureau also reportedly discovered that an individual surnamed Cañedo maintained a joint bank account with the vice president's husband, Mans Carpio.
Matibag said the NBI intends to subpoena the individuals involved to clarify their respective roles in Westgate88 and determine the extent of their participation in the company’s activities.
The agency is also coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration to verify the individuals’ travel status as the investigation progresses.
The latest development follows the NBI’s earlier referral to the Office of the Ombudsman concerning properties allegedly misdeclared in Duterte’s SALN.
The investigation seeks to establish the circumstances surrounding the company’s assets and the reported connections between its officials, the Vice President’s associates, and properties linked to her financial disclosures. The allegations remain subject to further investigation.
