Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday, April 23, dismissed long-standing allegations linking her to supposed billions in undisclosed bank accounts, calling them recycled claims amplified by political forces.

In a statement, Duterte directly addressed accusations repeatedly raised by Antonio Trillanes IV, saying his narrative has remained unchanged for nearly a decade.

Duterte said that for nearly a decade, Trillanes “has been peddling the same incredible story about alleged billions in bank accounts,” stressing that no concrete evidence has surfaced to support the claims from 2016 to 2026.

“From 2016 to 2026, nothing in his narrative has changed,” Duterte said. “What has changed, however, is the machinery now backing him,” she added.

Duterte also criticized what she described as a coordinated effort involving key government institutions, alleging that political motivations are behind the renewed accusations.

She pointed to the role of the Commission on Audit and the Anti-Money Laundering Council, suggesting that recent developments appear timed to align with political attacks.

Duterte further questioned the silence of newly appointed AMLC officials, saying they have yet to clarify that no violations of anti-money laundering laws have been found.

Duterte emphasized that the wave of accusations and cases against her began only after she resigned from the Cabinet and refused to sign what she described as a national budget she “could not defend to the public.”

“Hindi rin maikakaila ang timing ng lahat ng ito (The timing of all this cannot be denied),” she said. “Ang sunod-sunod na alegasyon at kaso laban sa akin ay nagsimula matapos akong umalis sa Gabinete, sa panahong tumanggi akong pumirma sa isang pambansang budget na hindi ko kayang ipagtanggol sa taumbayan (The successive allegations and cases against me began after I left the Cabinet, at a time when I refused to sign a national budget that I could not defend before the people),” she added.

Duterte maintained that her public service record remains unblemished, asserting that all her assets have been properly declared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

“Simple lang ang sagot ko sa lahat ng paninira (My answer to all the smear campaigns is simple),” Duterte said. “Malinis ang aking service record; hindi ako kailanman nagkaroon ng kaso sa paggamit ng pondo ng bayan (My service record is clean; I have never had a case involving the misuse of public funds),” she added.

“Lahat ng aking ari-arian at pera ay idineklara ko sa aking SALN… ang bawat sentimo ay mula sa lehitimong pinanggalingan at may kaukulang dokumento (All my assets and money have been declared in my SALN. Every cent comes from legitimate sources and is supported by proper documentation),” Duterte stressed.

“Ang mga totoong magnanakaw, hindi sa bangko pinapasok ang pera—kundi sa maleta (The real thieves don’t put money in the bank—they stash it in suitcases),” she added.

Beyond the allegations, Duterte shifted focus to broader national issues, questioning the administration’s response to concerns such as alleged irregularities in flood control projects, rising prices of basic goods, persistent poverty and hunger, peace efforts in Mindanao, the direction of foreign policy, and ongoing crime incidents.

She also aimed impeachment efforts against her, urging the public not to be distracted.

“Huwag kayong magpalinlang sa ingay ng impeachment na ito (Do not be deceived by the noise of this impeachment),” Duterte said.

Duterte stressed that the real issue lies in addressing the daily challenges faced by ordinary Filipinos.

“Dahil ang tunay na laban ay para sa kapakanan ng mga Pilipinong dumadanas at dumaraan sa tuminding hamon ng buhay araw-araw (The real battle is for the welfare of Filipinos who endure the intensifying challenges of daily life),” she added.