NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
New SALN Evidence Boosts VP Impeachment Case
Photo credit: Congress PH
A House prosecutor has revealed that new evidence being prepared for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte involves alleged assets linked to the Vice President and her husband that were reportedly not reflected in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) from 2007 to 2024.
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon made the disclosure during the launch of Bantay Impeachment held at Claret School in UP Village, Quezon City, where lawmakers and civil society groups gathered to support public monitoring of the impeachment proceedings.
Ridon said the newly surfaced material points to properties or assets registered under government records but not declared in Duterte’s SALN submissions over a 17-year period.
“Yung mga particular ebidensya po na ito, mayroong pong mga pag-aari ang pangalawang pangulo at ang kanya pong asawa at doon sa listahan po ng pag-aari ng particular na ahensya ng gobyerno pero hindi po ito nakatala sa kanya pong SALN submissions sa kahit ano pong taon,” Ridon disclosed.
“So from 2007 to 2024 hindi po nakatala yun pong mga pag-aari po na ito,” he added.
More than 120 participants from anti-corruption watchdogs, civil society organizations, youth groups, church-based formations, and other sectors attended the Bantay Impeachment launch, which aims to encourage transparency, accountability, and public participation in the impeachment process.
The initiative comes amid growing attention on the Senate impeachment trial, including concerns over possible delays and political tensions surrounding the chamber’s leadership transition.
Organizers stressed that impeachment is a constitutional mechanism intended to ensure accountability of public officials, not a political contest.
The new evidence is tied to one of the four Articles of Impeachment transmitted by the House to the Senate, specifically the allegation of unexplained wealth.
Duterte also faces separate impeachment charges involving alleged misuse of public funds, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
Ridon said the evidence was not previously presented during earlier House committee proceedings and is now being included at the pretrial stage of the Senate impeachment process.
“(inaudible) ang evidence po na ito kasi hindi po ito nailatag doon sa House prosecution ng proceedings sa Justice Committee, ito po ay bagong-bago,” Ridon explained.
“So sa pretrial po ipapasok,” he added.
He maintained that the prosecution is allowed to introduce additional evidence during pretrial as long as it supports the existing articles of impeachment.
“Wala hong nagbabawal sa prosecution panel na maglatag ng bagong ebidensya up until pretrial proceedings,” Ridon maintained.
“Kung ito po ay magseserbisyo doon po sa pagpapatunay noong pong mga batayan ng articles of impeachment,” he added.
The House prosecution panel is expected to include details of the new evidence in its pretrial brief, which will outline the documents and witnesses they plan to present before the impeachment court.
“So, by next week, nakalagay naman po ito doon sa pretrial brief so it will be disclosed with particularity sa darating pong linggo,” Ridon noted.
He also said both the prosecution and defense may still be allowed to present additional evidence after pretrial, subject to the approval of the Senate impeachment court and relevance to the case.
“For as long as papayagan po ito ng Senate Impeachment Court at relevant and material po doon po sa mga gusto pong patunayan whether na prosecution at ang depensa,” Ridon stressed.
Ridon credited Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua for identifying the new evidence, saying it strengthens the prosecution’s case as it moves toward trial.
“Para ituloy po yung Q&A ng mabilis, wala naman hong idadagdag dun sa nabanggit na ni ni Cong Joel, pero mahalaga lang pong i-reiterate yung inannounce lang po kahapon na mayroong pong bagong ebidensya na ilalabas, pagdating na po ng pretrial proceedings, ang nakaisip po nito pong bagong ebidensyang ito para talagang (inaudible) ang buong impeachment prosecution panel ay wala pong iba kundi si Cong. Chua,” Ridon revealed.
“Tinatanong kasi kung sino nakaisip yan? Wala na talagang alam-alam nya,” he added.
He added that Chua’s ability to identify relevant evidence reflects the prosecution team’s effort to strengthen its case ahead of the Senate trial.
“Alam nyang maghanap ng kriminal,” Ridon remarked.
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon made the disclosure during the launch of Bantay Impeachment held at Claret School in UP Village, Quezon City, where lawmakers and civil society groups gathered to support public monitoring of the impeachment proceedings.
Ridon said the newly surfaced material points to properties or assets registered under government records but not declared in Duterte’s SALN submissions over a 17-year period.
“Yung mga particular ebidensya po na ito, mayroong pong mga pag-aari ang pangalawang pangulo at ang kanya pong asawa at doon sa listahan po ng pag-aari ng particular na ahensya ng gobyerno pero hindi po ito nakatala sa kanya pong SALN submissions sa kahit ano pong taon,” Ridon disclosed.
“So from 2007 to 2024 hindi po nakatala yun pong mga pag-aari po na ito,” he added.
More than 120 participants from anti-corruption watchdogs, civil society organizations, youth groups, church-based formations, and other sectors attended the Bantay Impeachment launch, which aims to encourage transparency, accountability, and public participation in the impeachment process.
The initiative comes amid growing attention on the Senate impeachment trial, including concerns over possible delays and political tensions surrounding the chamber’s leadership transition.
Organizers stressed that impeachment is a constitutional mechanism intended to ensure accountability of public officials, not a political contest.
The new evidence is tied to one of the four Articles of Impeachment transmitted by the House to the Senate, specifically the allegation of unexplained wealth.
Duterte also faces separate impeachment charges involving alleged misuse of public funds, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
Ridon said the evidence was not previously presented during earlier House committee proceedings and is now being included at the pretrial stage of the Senate impeachment process.
“(inaudible) ang evidence po na ito kasi hindi po ito nailatag doon sa House prosecution ng proceedings sa Justice Committee, ito po ay bagong-bago,” Ridon explained.
“So sa pretrial po ipapasok,” he added.
He maintained that the prosecution is allowed to introduce additional evidence during pretrial as long as it supports the existing articles of impeachment.
“Wala hong nagbabawal sa prosecution panel na maglatag ng bagong ebidensya up until pretrial proceedings,” Ridon maintained.
“Kung ito po ay magseserbisyo doon po sa pagpapatunay noong pong mga batayan ng articles of impeachment,” he added.
The House prosecution panel is expected to include details of the new evidence in its pretrial brief, which will outline the documents and witnesses they plan to present before the impeachment court.
“So, by next week, nakalagay naman po ito doon sa pretrial brief so it will be disclosed with particularity sa darating pong linggo,” Ridon noted.
He also said both the prosecution and defense may still be allowed to present additional evidence after pretrial, subject to the approval of the Senate impeachment court and relevance to the case.
“For as long as papayagan po ito ng Senate Impeachment Court at relevant and material po doon po sa mga gusto pong patunayan whether na prosecution at ang depensa,” Ridon stressed.
Ridon credited Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua for identifying the new evidence, saying it strengthens the prosecution’s case as it moves toward trial.
“Para ituloy po yung Q&A ng mabilis, wala naman hong idadagdag dun sa nabanggit na ni ni Cong Joel, pero mahalaga lang pong i-reiterate yung inannounce lang po kahapon na mayroong pong bagong ebidensya na ilalabas, pagdating na po ng pretrial proceedings, ang nakaisip po nito pong bagong ebidensyang ito para talagang (inaudible) ang buong impeachment prosecution panel ay wala pong iba kundi si Cong. Chua,” Ridon revealed.
“Tinatanong kasi kung sino nakaisip yan? Wala na talagang alam-alam nya,” he added.
He added that Chua’s ability to identify relevant evidence reflects the prosecution team’s effort to strengthen its case ahead of the Senate trial.
“Alam nyang maghanap ng kriminal,” Ridon remarked.
Jun 14, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
