Politics · Philippines Bureau
VP Duterte's wealth discrepancies highlighted in impeachment proceedings
A Bureau of Internal Revenue official testified that Vice President Sara Duterte's declared net worth in 2025 does not align with her reported combined income with her husband over an 18-year period. The witness presented evidence suggesting a significant gap between the couple's tax records and statements of assets and liabilities.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte presented testimony from a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) official highlighting apparent discrepancies between her financial declarations and tax records. The witness testified that the combined net income after tax for Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, spanning 2007 to 2025, totaled more than P85 million yet did not correspond with her declared net worth as of 2025.
The BIR official's testimony formed part of the prosecution's case, suggesting potential inconsistencies in Duterte's Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) filings. The gap between reported earnings and declared assets raises questions about the source of wealth accumulation during the period in question.
The impeachment proceedings, which began earlier this year, have scrutinized various aspects of Duterte's financial records and official conduct. The latest testimony adds to mounting concerns raised by prosecutors regarding transparency in her financial disclosures.
Duterte has maintained that her financial records are in order and has denied allegations of impropriety. Her legal team is expected to present counterarguments and supporting documentation during subsequent phases of the trial. The proceedings are expected to continue as the panel examines further evidence from both prosecution and defense.