Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday denied owning a property presented by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and questioned the agency’s operations, accusing it of conducting activities without clear public benefit.
In a statement dated October 13, Duterte clarified that the lot shown in a photograph and allegedly included in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) did not belong to her.
“Ang lote sa larawan na sinabi niyang nasa aking Statement of Assets, Liability, and Net Worth o SALN ay hindi sa akin,” Duterte said.
She also expressed concern over the use of public funds for the NBI’s operations, questioning whether the agency’s activities genuinely serve the public interest.
“Nakakabahala na ang National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), na pinopondohan ng taumbayan, ay ginagamit ang kanilang mga operasyon para sa mga gawaing walang malinaw na pakinabang sa publiko,” she said.
Duterte linked the issue to the House prosecution panel’s decision to remove the NBI from its list of witnesses in her impeachment trial. She alleged that the agency had presented questionable evidence, drawing a comparison with the Gracioso affidavit.
“Ang ganitong panlilinlang sa publiko ay ang dahilan kung bakit inalis ang NBI sa listahan ng mga testigong ihaharap ng prosekusyon sa impeachment proceedings—dahil sa mga alegasyon na muli na naman silang naglahad ng mga ebidensiyang kuwestiyonable tulad noong Gracioso affidavit,” she said.
The Vice President also stressed the need for government agencies to act within the bounds of the law and remain accountable to the public.
“Kung pera ng taumbayan ang ginagamit sa pagpapatakbo ng isang ahensiya, nararapat lamang na tiyakin na ang bawat hakbang nito ay naaayon sa batas, nakabatay sa katotohanan, at nagsisilbi sa interes ng sambayanan,” Duterte said.
The NBI has been investigating properties linked to Duterte and her family following Gracioso’s allegations that he delivered suitcases of cash to members of the Duterte family on the instructions of former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said on October 12 that the bureau was examining 121 properties linked to Vice President Duterte and her brother, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, over possible discrepancies involving declared assets. Of these properties, 24 were reportedly declared in the Vice President’s SALN, according to the NBI.
Duterte has denied the allegations against her.
The NBI has said its findings would be referred to the appropriate authorities for possible legal action.
