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Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo on Monday played videos from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the impeachment trial showing “resort-like” properties allegedly linked to Vice President Sara Duterte and her family.
On the 38th day of the trial, Tulfo presented video clips from a press conference of the NBI, showing two big properties, one of which housed two swimming pools.
The senator-judge then asked financial forensic analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera if the properties shown were declared in the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of the Vice President.
“Ginoong Testigo, nabanggit po doon na may narinig po akong P200,000 daw po na halaga at mukhang agricultural land po ‘yan. Ito po ba ‘yung nakalagay na land agricultural sa Barangay Santo Niño, Balac, Igacos na acquisition cost ay P200,000 po?” Tulfo asked.
(Mr. Witness, I heard the amount P200,000 was mentioned, and it appears to be agricultural land. Is this the agricultural land in Barangay Santo Niño, Balac, Igacos with an acquisition cost of P200,000?)
The witness refused to answer, saying he could not offer an opinion off the cuff without assessing the materials provided.
“Dalawa po ‘yung ipinakita ho kanina ng NBI at lumabas na rin po sa mga media. Ang tanong ko po, kasama ho kaya ito sa P817 million pesos na undeclared wealth po ng Bise Presidente?” Tulfo pressed.
(The NBI presented two properties earlier, and these were also reported by the media. My question is, are these included in the Vice President’s P817 million in undeclared wealth?)
Tulfo was referring to the P817.87 million in allegedly undeclared assets and income by Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, from 2022 to 2025, which Cabrera revealed during the trial on Friday.
The witness maintained he could not speak conclusively on that matter until he investigated the titles and other documents related to the properties.
“Kasi po baka isa po ‘yun sa mga property na naka-declare. Although, kung titignan ko po ‘yung pinakita n'yo, mukha naman pong valuable siya dahil dalawa po ‘yung swimming pool,” he said.
(It’s possible that they are among the declared properties. However, judging by what you showed me, it does appear to be a valuable property, given that it has two swimming pools.)
Tulfo clarified if the witness was saying that he was not sure if such properties were included in the P817 million he himself flagged.
“Tama po. Hindi po ako sigurado kung nando’n po ‘yan,” Cabrera answered.
(That’s correct. I am not sure if they were included.)
The senator-judge then asked the prosecution if the properties---which he described as resort-like---were included in the audit of Duterte.
House prosecutor Rep. Chel Diokno said they have copies of Duterte’s SALNs, but noted that he has never seen the videos presented by the NBI before.
“Would you later look into this to check, to counter-check kung tama po itong investigation ng NBI (if the investigation of the NBI is correct)?” Tulfo asked the prosecutor.
Diokno affirmed that the House prosecution team will look into the matter. —AOL, GMA News