Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte voiced sharp criticism on Friday against what he labeled as “pressure politics,” claiming that demands for the public disclosure of Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) are being used to intimidate lawmakers.
Duterte questioned the sudden intensity of transparency calls, noting they have conveniently peaked as the impeachment case against his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, gains momentum.
The congressman reminded his colleagues in the House of Representatives that an impeachment vote is a serious constitutional duty that must remain free from external coercion.
“Ang boto sa impeachment ay hindi raffle ticket, hindi utos, at lalong hindi dapat produkto ng pressure. Mandato ito ng taumbayan. Kaya sa aking mga kapwa mambabatas, hindi tayo inihalal para sumunod sa bulong—kundi para tumayo sa prinsipyo.”
(“An impeachment vote is not a raffle ticket, it is not an order, and most especially it should not be a product of pressure. It is a mandate from the people. So to my fellow lawmakers, we were not elected to follow whispers—but to stand on principle.”)
Duterte further alleged that the push for SALN transparency is being applied selectively, targeting only those who refuse to adhere to a specific political “script.”
“Biglang naging uso ang SALN—hindi para sa transparency, kundi para sa timing. May mga kasamahan daw ako sa Kongreso na tila “naaalala” lang bigla kapag hindi sumusunod sa script. Coincidence? Siyempre, “coincidence.”
(“The SALN suddenly became trendy—not for transparency, but for timing. I have colleagues in Congress who seem to be ‘remembered’ only when they don’t follow the script. Coincidence? Of course, ‘coincidence.'”)
The lawmaker used satire to describe the current political atmosphere, suggesting that accountability has become a bargaining chip used to secure favorable votes in the lower house.
“Kung totoo man ang mga kuwentong ito, mukhang may bago tayong sistema—vote wisely… or we’ll look closely on your SALN. Ayos ‘yan ah—accountability na may kasamang kondisyon.”
(“If these stories are true, it looks like we have a new system—vote wisely… or we’ll look closely on your SALN. That’s something—accountability that comes with conditions.”)
These statements come as the Vice President’s financial history undergoes intense investigation. Reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) indicate a massive 1,120% surge in her net worth over a 17-year period, growing from ₱7.25 million in 2007 to ₱88.51 million in 2024.
Adding to the controversy, evidence from the House Committee on Justice hearings highlighted a significant anomaly: despite her rising net worth, the Vice President’s SALNs from 2019 to 2024 reportedly declared zero cash on hand or in bank deposits.