Ombudsman to submit VP Duterte's SALNs to House Committee on Justice
The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, March 26, said it will submit the copies of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) of Vice President Sara Duterte to the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives.
The House Committee on Justice, which is investigating the impeachment complaints filed against VP Duterte, has issued a subpoena for the Ombudsman to submit her SALNs.
Sought by the committee were Duterte’s SALNs for 2007 to 2013 as Davao City vice mayor, for 2016 to 2022 as Davao City mayor, and for 2022 to 2025 as vice president.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said in a press briefing: “Even a simple request would do. So much more if it's a subpoena, we will comply.”
Clavano said that it has always been the Ombudsman’s goal to promote transparency and accountability and, thus, the first action the office did when Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla assumed office was to open public officials' SALNs.
At the same time, Clavano said the Ombudsman is very careful in the way the office investigates impeachable officers, including Duterte.
"We are careful to make sure we move efficiently, we do not step on unconstitutional grounds," he said.
He also said that there are several complaints filed against Duterte before the Ombudsman, one of the most recent was filed by former senator Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV and several others who wanted her held liable for plunder due to the reported anomalies in the use of her confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) during her terms as vice president, Department of Education (DepEd) secretary, and Davao City mayor.
Clavano said the Ombudsman’s probe on complaints against the vice president is currently in the fact-finding stage.
He added: "The investigation regarding VP Sara is ongoing. We are gathering more and more evidence.”