The House Judiciary Committee has summoned the Ombudsman to testify and change the wealth declarations of Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio, a move that deepens the scrutiny of her finances as the investigation continues.
In a summons dated March 31, the panel ordered Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla to appear at the hearing on April 14 and submit certified copies of Ms.
The records are needed “so that the committee is informed of the assets, liabilities and net worth” declared by the Vice President from the time he took office until now, according to the summons.
This request signals a shift to closer scrutiny of Ms.
“As long as it is our job, we will comply,” said Mr. Remulla in a news conference broadcast live in Filipino.
Political analysts have previously said the trial risks undermining Ms.
The move to oust Ms. Duterte intensifies the political rivalry between her and President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., who were once allies who ran together on a unity ticket but ended up emerging as rivals.
The impeachment proceedings are now at the hearing stage of the Judiciary committee, which is tasked with determining the probable cause of the two existing complaints after finding them sufficient in form and substance.
The panel invited Ms. Duterte to attend hearings and issued subpoenas for evidence, financial records and related evidence from government agencies.
Mr. Remulla said his office is willing to provide Congress with all SALNs available to the Vice President, citing the legality of the request.
Lawmakers say reviewing the SALNs is important to check the claims of undeclared wealth and possible breach of public trust alleged in the complaints, allegations Ms. Duterte denies.
The House continues under the legal committee process following the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling that struck down speedy impeachment proceedings.
A group of lawyers supporting Duterte filed another petition seeking to stop the investigation, its second attempt after the high court blocked the previous proceedings in violation of the Vice President’s right to due process.
At least 106 lawmakers must vote to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate, which will then sit as an impeachment court. A conviction by the Senate would remove Ms. Duterte from office and permanently bar her from holding any public office.
These complaints accuse Ms. Duterte of misusing hundreds of millions of pesos in secret funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education that she was in charge of.
Other allegations include amassing wealth disproportionate to his declared salary, seeking to discredit the government and plotting to kill Mr. Marcos, his wife and former Speaker of the House. Mrs. Duterte has denied all the charges against her.
Taken together, the petitions accuse him of racketeering, bribery, violation of the constitution and betrayal of public trust – all crimes unpardonable under the 1987 Constitution.
The rift between Mr Marcos and Ms Duterte has grown in recent months following policy differences and political differences between their camps.
The political rivalry resurfaced after her father, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, was arrested by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign. – Erika Mae P. Sinaking
