THE Office of the Ombudsman has confirmed its intention to comply with the subpoena issued by the House Committee on Justice, which mandates the submission of Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) for all her years in public service.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano stated on Thursday that the Ombudsman is committed to making these crucial documents public, aligning with their existing policy of providing access to SALNs of public officials. This move is central to the impeachment proceedings initiated against the vice president, particularly concerning allegations of unexplained wealth.
Clavano reiterated the Ombudsman’s policy, emphasizing that SALNs are public documents and accessible upon request, even more so when backed by a congressional subpoena. He highlighted that the Ombudsman has historically encouraged transparency by allowing public access to the SALNs of high-ranking officials, including the President, vice president, and heads of constitutional commissions. The office’s commitment to transparency means that the subpoena compelling the release of VP Duterte’s SALNs, covering her terms as Davao City vice mayor, mayor, and eventually vice president from 2007 to 2024, will be honored without hesitation.
The House Committee on Justice specifically requested SALNs from 2007-2013, 2016-2022, and 2022-2024. The vice president faces two separate impeachment complaints, and these documents are crucial in scrutinizing allegations of unexplained wealth against her.
Committee member Rep. Terry Ridon argued that examining these SALNs, along with tax records and company finances of the vice president and her husband, is not a “fishing expedition” but a necessary step to ascertain the legality of her accumulated wealth. Ridon pointed to a significant discrepancy between Duterte’s estimated accumulated salary and her reported net worth in 2024 as a key area requiring explanation.
The House committee anticipates that the Ombudsman’s compliance with the subpoena will yield crucial evidence to investigate the alleged wealth gap.
Ridon noted that the substantial increase in the Vice President’s net worth could potentially be explained by the financial statements of companies associated with her and her husband, as reflected in her SALNs. The release of these documents is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in the impeachment proceedings, offering a closer look into the financial standing of the vice president and potentially shedding light on the basis of the allegations against her.
