QUEZON CITY — Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua urged senator-judges on Saturday to evaluate the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) findings regarding properties linked to Vice President Sara Duterte as part of her ongoing impeachment trial.
Speaking at a news forum, Chua emphasized that while these alleged properties were not initially highlighted during the proceedings, lawmakers acting as judges should examine them for potential misdeclarations.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag previously alleged that the Vice President declared two properties in Catigan, Davao City, with an acquisition cost of ₱890,000, contrasted against an actual assessed value ranging from ₱40 million to ₱60 million, alongside undeclared property improvements.
“It should be looked into because if the declared cost was about P800,000 and was declared for agricultural use but there is a mansion, two swimming pools, and a helipad… senator-judges should also consider these because these are in the SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth) of the Vice President,” Chua said.
Other assets flagged by the agency include the Davao restaurant Prime Bistro—registered under her husband, Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio—which listed an acquisition cost of ₱10 million against an assessed value of ₱82,000, despite a building cost of roughly ₱4.5 million and land value of ₱9.5 million.
Additionally, a Parañaque property in Don Bosco carried a market value of ₱240,000 in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), despite an acquisition cost of ₱2.2 million, a building value of ₱461,760, and an assessed worth of ₱14,400,000.
Another property in Aundanao was recorded with a ₱9 million acquisition cost alongside a ₱19.5 million real assessment, coupled with several undeclared improvements.
Vice President Duterte dismissed the ownership of the properties under NBI investigation during a statement on Tuesday, labeling the agency’s efforts to tie the assets to her family as an act of “public deception.”