Vice President Sara Duterte declared no cash on hand or bank deposits in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for six consecutive years, according to testimony provided during a House Committee on Justice hearing on Wednesday.
Atty. Karen Batu of the Office of the Ombudsman’s Central Records Division confirmed the findings under questioning by Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua.
While Duterte’s records from 2007 to 2018 consistently listed liquid assets, the entries for the subsequent years remained blank in those specific categories.
“At nung 2019 up to 2024 kahit na singko po wala po siyang dineklara na cash on hand or in banks?” Chua asked during the inquiry.
Batu responded in the affirmative, noting the absence of such declarations in the official filings.
“Based on the submitted SALNs, your honor, wala pong nakalagay na cash on hand or bank deposits… wala pong nakalagay your honor…”
The disclosure prompted a brief, dry remark from the lawmaker:
“Eh, di wow.”
Despite the lack of declared cash assets since 2019, the Vice President’s total net worth has shown a steady upward trajectory over the last two decades.
From a declared ₱7.25 million in 2007, her wealth grew to ₱49.6 million in 2018. The trend continued through her transition from Davao City Mayor to the Vice Presidency, reaching ₱71 million in 2022 and peaking at ₱88.5 million in 2024.
The committee is currently scrutinizing the consistency of these financial declarations as part of its ongoing oversight functions.