MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has uncovered significant discrepancies between the declared properties of Vice President Sara Duterte and their actual market values following a comprehensive probe.
The investigation was initiated after authorities identified a specific financial pattern linked to allegations made by former police officer and security aide Rudolfo Gracioso Jr. According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, Gracioso claimed multi-million peso cash deliveries occurred when Lord Alan Velasco served as House Speaker, with funds allegedly funneled into real estate acquisitions, a strategy known as landbanking.
Vice President Duterte has previously denied Gracioso’s allegations. However, NBI agents tracked similar property trails, focusing initially on 24 assets listed in the Vice President’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) out of more than 100 properties linked to the family.
“We are investigating this because we are following a pattern that was established in the Graciosio affidavit. It appears that the money was put into landbanking and we are looking seriously into this,” Matibag said during a press briefing on Monday, October 12.
Investigators highlighted specific disparities, noting that two agricultural properties valued at a combined ₱890,000 in the SALN had undergone extensive development. Through documentation and aerial surveillance, the NBI discovered those parcels now feature substantial improvements, elevating their actual value between ₱40 million and ₱60 million.
Matibag noted that similar discrepancies involving resorts and mansions were identified across other properties.
“The Gracioso affidavit showed us the pattern na kapag sinundan natin, there are money deliveries, pero saan dinala yung pera,” Matibag explained.
The NBI is also examining the assets of other family members, including Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, and plans to seek formal statements from the officials involved.
“These are the initial results that we will submit either to the Office of the Ombudsman or the Office of the Department of Justice for legal action,” Matibag added.