Philippine Vice President Sara Z. Duterte on April 23, 2026 firmly denied allegations of undisclosed billions in bank accounts, describing them as recycled accusations lacking evidence and driven by political motives.
In a two-page statement titled “Pahayag,” Duterte said former senator Antonio Trillanes IV has been repeating the same claims for nearly a decade without presenting proof.
“For nearly a decade… nothing in his narrative has changed,” Duterte said, emphasizing that the allegations remain unsubstantiated despite being repeatedly raised since 2016.
She stressed that what has changed, however, is what she described as the involvement of political forces backing the accusations. Duterte pointed to certain members of the House of Representatives, as well as institutions such as the Commission on Audit and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), which she said have either acted in a manner that aligns with political attacks or have remained silent on the issue.
Despite these developments, Duterte underscored that no official findings have been issued against her for any violation of anti-money laundering laws.
“Simple lang ang sagot ko sa lahat ng paninira. Malinis ang aking service record,” she said, reiterating that she has never faced any case involving misuse of public funds.
The Vice President also maintained that all her assets and financial interests have been properly declared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), and that her income comes from legitimate sources with complete documentation.
Duterte further questioned the timing of the renewed allegations, noting that these surfaced after she left the Cabinet and declined to support a national budget she said she could not defend before the public.
She also broadened the discussion to national concerns, raising questions about the use of funds for flood control projects, the continued rise in prices of basic goods, poverty and hunger, peace and order in Mindanao, and the country’s foreign policy direction.
“Nasaan ang malinaw na sagot?” she asked, pointing to what she described as more pressing issues affecting Filipinos.
The Vice President urged the public not to be distracted by political noise, particularly discussions surrounding impeachment, and instead focus on addressing the real challenges faced by ordinary citizens.
Duterte ended her statement with a strong assertion of her integrity, saying her record in public service remains clean and transparent.
The statement comes amid renewed political tensions, with Duterte positioning herself firmly against what she described as coordinated attacks, while maintaining confidence that the truth will prevail.
Business News Asia
