VICE PRESIDENT Sara Z. Duterte lashed out at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday, Oct. 13, accusing the agency of executing “deceptive” public operations using taxpayer funds after it allegedly presented a real estate property incorrectly linked to her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
In an official statement dated Oct. 13, 2026, Duterte denied owning the property depicted in recent NBI presentations, calling into question the credibility of evidence compiled by the bureau.
“Nakakabahala na ang National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), na pinopondohan ng taumbayan, ay ginagamit ang kanilang mga operasyon para sa mga gawaing walang malinaw na pakinabang sa publiko,” Duterte said. “Ang lote sa larawan na sinabi niyang nasa aking Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth o SALN ay hindi sa akin.”
Duterte linked the alleged inaccuracy to previous investigative flaws, asserting that such “deceptions” led to the NBI’s removal from the prosecution’s witness list in ongoing impeachment proceedings.
She specifically cited past questionable submissions by the bureau, comparing the current land ownership claim to the controversy surrounding the “Gracioso affidavit”.
“Ang ganitong panlilinlang sa publiko ay ang dahilan kung bakit inalis ang NBI sa listahan ng mga testigong ihaharap ng prosekusyon sa impeachment proceedings—dahil sa mga alegasyon na muli na naman silang naglahad ng mga ebidensiyang kuwestiyonable tulad ng Gracioso affidavit,” the Vice President added.
Duterte urged government bodies funded by public taxes to strictly adhere to legal boundaries, truthfulness, and public interest in all their operational undertakings.
The NBI has yet to issue a formal counter-statement regarding the Vice President’s remarks.
On Monday, Oct. 12, NBI director Melvin Matibag revealed that the agency is investigating properties supposedly declared at P890,000 in the Vice President’s SALN that may actually be worth P60 million. Accordingly, NBI investigators already scoped the area to inspect the property, particularly in Catigan, Toril District, which was supposedly declared as agricultural land.