Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, October 12, claimed that the allegations against her and her family were politically motivated and intended to undermine her potential presidential bid in the 2028 elections.
During the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) 91st anniversary kick-off celebration, Duterte accused her critics of changing their allegations as her impeachment case progressed, insisting that the accusations lacked sufficient evidence.
“Lahat gagawin nila para pabagsakin ako,” Duterte said.
She claimed that the impeachment complaint against her initially lacked supporting documents and accused her opponents of subsequently fabricating evidence to strengthen their case.
“Bumabagsak na yung kaso nila eh, kaya binibilisan kasi wala na silang masabi. Nag-e-embento ka ng ebidensya,” she said.
Duterte also cited allegations involving former aide Ramil Madriaga and dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., both of whom have been linked to accusations involving alleged cash deliveries and members of the Duterte family.
She claimed that the allegations involving the two individuals had failed to gain traction, prompting her critics to shift their focus to alleged financial links with China.
“Nagsisinungaling, nag-iimbento kaya bumabagsak yung kaso kaya nag-shift na yung narrative sa China-China ngayon,” she said.
Questions China-related allegations
Duterte questioned the implications of allegations linking her family to China, particularly claims that financial transactions involving Chinese entities could pose a national security risk.
She asked whether conducting business with China should automatically be considered a national security threat, amid renewed scrutiny of alleged financial transactions involving companies linked to her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio.
Her remarks came after Marcos said allegations involving Chinese money linked to Duterte could pose a national security threat if proven true.
The National Security Council has confirmed that it is looking into allegations involving remittances from China and Hong Kong to a company linked to Carpio.
Duterte also raised concerns about reports of illegal drugs entering the Philippines from Laos and Thailand, questioning the country's position in addressing regional security challenges.
“It's a national security risk with China. Nagiging troublemaker for Southeast Asia tayo,” she said.
Impeachment trial continues
Duterte's remarks came as her impeachment trial continued in the Senate.
The House prosecution concluded presenting its evidence on October 9, with financial forensic analyst Alexander Cabrera testifying about alleged discrepancies involving the Vice President's wealth and financial records.
Cabrera estimated that Duterte and her husband had ₱817.87 million in allegedly undeclared assets and income from 2022 to 2025.
The prosecution maintains that its findings support the allegations in the impeachment complaint. Duterte's claim that the case is collapsing, however, remains her own assessment and does not establish the outcome of the proceedings.
Gracioso allegations remain under investigation
Separately, Duterte has denied allegations by Gracioso that he delivered billions of pesos in cash to her and members of her family upon the instructions of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
On October 8, Duterte's lawyer submitted her sworn affidavit and supporting documents to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The Vice President did not personally appear before the bureau.
Her camp identified 29 statements in Gracioso's affidavit that it considers false and said it was considering possible perjury and libel complaints against him.
The NBI has said it would examine the competing claims and validate the submitted documents and other evidence.
The allegations involving Gracioso, as well as the separate questions surrounding the family's financial transactions, remain subject to investigation and verification.
