Metro Manila, Philippines – After NBI Director Melvin Matibag recently claimed that several properties linked to the Duterte family may amount to more than their disclosed value, Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte and sibling Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte issued separate statements challenging the allegations.
In a Facebook post, the VP expressed concern that the bureau is spending its funds on operations without a clear benefit to the public, referring to the several investigations it launched to verify the cash delivery claims of former cop Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.
“Ang lote sa larawan na sinabi niyang nasa aking Statement of Assets, Liability, and Net Worth o SALN ay hindi sa akin,” the VP said.
[Translation: The lot in the picture that was said to have been in my Statement of Assets, Liability, and Net Worth or SALN is not mine.]
“Ang ganitong panlilinlang sa publiko ay ang dahilan kung bakit inalis ang NBI sa listahan ng mga testigong ihaharap ng prosekusyon sa impeachment proceedings…,” she added.
[Translation: This deception of the public is the reason why the NBI was removed from the list of witnesses to be presented by the prosecution in the impeachment proceedings…]
The property in question is an agricultural lot in Davao City allegedly declared in her SALN to have a combined value of P900,000, although the NBI stated that its land alone, without considering improvements, might be between P50 million to P60 million.
Meanwhile, a resort in Samal Island allegedly belonging to Rep. Pulong was said to also have been declared at around P900,000, but may actually amount to P19.5 million.
“If you claim that I own a resort in Samal, then I suggest you do what an investigator is expected to do—establish the facts and present evidence,” Pulong said in his own Facebook post.
“And while you are occupied with allegations about a supposed resort, I trust you will extend the same enthusiasm for transparency to questions surrounding reported ghost projects in your wife’s congressional district,” he added, casting doubt upon Laguna currently represented by Matibag’s spouse.
Pulong recalled former President Rodrigo Duterte accusing Matibag of corruption during his term.
The congressman also challenged Matibag and his bureau to present proof or “correct the record” on their allegations of the Dutertes’ SALN discrepancies.
