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Advocates Philippines
Ridon Pushes Deeper Look Into Sara Duterte's Wealth
Photo credit: Congress PH
House prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Vice President Sara Duterte’s reported ₱88.5 million net worth in 2024 cannot be fully examined by looking only at financial records from 2022 onward, arguing that investigators need to trace her wealth back to the beginning of her public service in 2007.
The issue emerged as House prosecutors and Duterte’s defense team continue to dispute what documents should be considered in the Senate impeachment trial. While the defense has sought to limit the review to records covering Duterte’s term as vice president, prosecutors insist that a broader examination is necessary to determine how her assets accumulated over time.
Ridon said reviewing Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) from 2007 to 2024 would provide a clearer picture of her financial history, including her income, properties, liabilities, and other declared assets throughout her years in government service.
According to the lawmaker, the prosecution intends to compare Duterte’s declared net worth in 2024 with records from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), as well as documents that may be presented during the trial, including bank records and reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
The House prosecutor argued that such records could help establish whether Duterte’s declared wealth is consistent with her income and tax filings over the years. He also said the documents may reveal patterns that could indicate whether certain assets or financial interests were omitted from her SALNs.
Among the items prosecutors are expected to scrutinize are cash declarations and firearms disclosures, both of which are required under SALN regulations. Ridon said these entries could be compared against documentary evidence to determine whether all required information was properly declared.
The debate over financial records is one of several key issues emerging ahead of Duterte’s impeachment trial, where prosecutors are seeking to prove allegations related to unexplained wealth and other accusations contained in the articles of impeachment approved by the House of Representatives.
Ridon maintained that records predating 2022 remain relevant because they cover Duterte’s years as a public official, including her time as mayor of Davao City before becoming vice president in 2022.
The prosecution recently sought access to a sealed box of Bureau of Internal Revenue records transmitted to the Senate impeachment court, arguing that the documents could provide important evidence in establishing Duterte’s financial profile. The request has become a point of contention between both sides as they prepare for the trial proper.
Despite objections from the defense, Ridon said prosecutors are prepared to present the documents they believe are relevant, adding that it will ultimately be up to the Senate impeachment court to determine the weight and admissibility of the evidence.
The impeachment proceedings against Duterte are expected to intensify in the coming weeks as both sides continue to battle over evidence, witness lists, and the scope of documents that may be considered during the trial.
The issue emerged as House prosecutors and Duterte’s defense team continue to dispute what documents should be considered in the Senate impeachment trial. While the defense has sought to limit the review to records covering Duterte’s term as vice president, prosecutors insist that a broader examination is necessary to determine how her assets accumulated over time.
Ridon said reviewing Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) from 2007 to 2024 would provide a clearer picture of her financial history, including her income, properties, liabilities, and other declared assets throughout her years in government service.
According to the lawmaker, the prosecution intends to compare Duterte’s declared net worth in 2024 with records from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), as well as documents that may be presented during the trial, including bank records and reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
The House prosecutor argued that such records could help establish whether Duterte’s declared wealth is consistent with her income and tax filings over the years. He also said the documents may reveal patterns that could indicate whether certain assets or financial interests were omitted from her SALNs.
Among the items prosecutors are expected to scrutinize are cash declarations and firearms disclosures, both of which are required under SALN regulations. Ridon said these entries could be compared against documentary evidence to determine whether all required information was properly declared.
The debate over financial records is one of several key issues emerging ahead of Duterte’s impeachment trial, where prosecutors are seeking to prove allegations related to unexplained wealth and other accusations contained in the articles of impeachment approved by the House of Representatives.
Ridon maintained that records predating 2022 remain relevant because they cover Duterte’s years as a public official, including her time as mayor of Davao City before becoming vice president in 2022.
The prosecution recently sought access to a sealed box of Bureau of Internal Revenue records transmitted to the Senate impeachment court, arguing that the documents could provide important evidence in establishing Duterte’s financial profile. The request has become a point of contention between both sides as they prepare for the trial proper.
Despite objections from the defense, Ridon said prosecutors are prepared to present the documents they believe are relevant, adding that it will ultimately be up to the Senate impeachment court to determine the weight and admissibility of the evidence.
The impeachment proceedings against Duterte are expected to intensify in the coming weeks as both sides continue to battle over evidence, witness lists, and the scope of documents that may be considered during the trial.
Jun 25, 2026
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