The Office of the Ombudsman has assured the public that it will handle the referral concerning Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) ’thoroughly and independently.’
In a statement Thursday night, the Ombudsman confirmed receiving the referral from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which submitted its fact-finding report on Duterte’s SALN for evaluation and appropriate action.
“The referral and its supporting documents will undergo an initial evaluation to determine the appropriate action, including whether further investigation is warranted, in accordance with established procedures and applicable laws,” the Ombudsman said.
“The Office assures the public that the matter will be handled thoroughly, independently and without any political color,” it added.
The NBI referred its findings to the Ombudsman on Tuesday, following its presentation of photographs and videos on Monday showing properties allegedly linked to Duterte and her family.
The bureau said some of the properties were declared as agricultural land in Duterte’s SALN but allegedly contained mansions and swimming pools.
The referral focuses on an agricultural property in Barangay Catigan, Davao City, which Duterte reportedly declared at ₱890,000. The property allegedly contains a resort and a mansion estimated to be worth between ₱40 million and ₱61 million.
NBI officials previously said investigators were also examining a possible money laundering angle involving properties linked to Duterte and her brother, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte.
An NBI official said investigators had identified a pattern in the affidavit of dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. concerning the alleged laundering or concealment of money.
Gracioso accused Vice President Duterte of receiving more than ₱2 billion, while former president Rodrigo Duterte allegedly received ₱1 billion and Paolo Duterte ₱100 million, supposedly upon the instructions of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
The Vice President has denied the NBI’s allegations.
