VOTING 34–1 with no abstentions, the House Committee on Justice on Wednesday ordered the issuance of a subpoena to the Office of the Ombudsman for the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte over allegations of unexplained wealth.
The subpoena duces tecum compels the Ombudsman to produce certified copies of Duterte’s SALNs spanning years of her public service, as the panel intensifies its evidence-gathering to determine whether probable cause exists to elevate the case to the Senate for trial.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua, a member of the House prosecution panel, moved for the issuance of the subpoena.
“I move that we issue subpoena duces tecum to the Office of the Ombudsman for the issuance of the duly certified true copies of the [SALNs] of the Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte for the years 2022–2025 inclusive, 2007–2013 inclusive, and 2016–2022 inclusive,” Chua said.
The request covers Duterte’s tenure as Vice President and her earlier years in public office, including her time as Davao City mayor, amid allegations in the impeachment complaints involving unexplained wealth, SALN omissions, and the use of public funds
The motion drew a lone objection from Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who challenged its scope.
The objection triggered a division of the House panel, with members voting in open session.
“With 34 votes in the affirmative, 1 vote in the negative, and 0 abstention, the motion is granted,” Justice panel chair Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas announced after the tally.
Luistro then directed the immediate issuance of the subpoena to the Ombudsman for the production of Duterte’s SALNs covering the specified periods.
The subpoena marks a critical escalation in the committee’s investigation, placing Duterte’s financial disclosures at the center of the proceedings as lawmakers scrutinize allegations tied to wealth declarations and public accountability.
The justice panel is currently conducting hearings to determine whether sufficient grounds exist to bring the case to a full impeachment trial before the Senate, which will sit as the impeachment court.
