Sara Duterte's jet-set lifestyle under fire as impeachment trial shifts to wealth
Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. has cast doubt on Vice President Sara Duterte's image of a simple life, pointing to her frequent foreign trips as evidence that she lives far from modestly. The remarks came during a press briefing on Thursday, as the impeachment trial against Duterte shifts its focus to allegations of unexplained wealth.
Abante, a Manila lawmaker, said he never believed the Vice President's simple life narrative, contrasting her travels with the more credible image of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is known to prefer his ancestral home in Davao City and sleeps under a mosquito net.
What did Abante say about Sara Duterte's travels?
In a mix of Filipino and English, Abante questioned how frequent international trips could be reconciled with a simple lifestyle, especially while impeachment proceedings are ongoing. He noted that even he cannot travel freely, and that if the Vice President is funding these trips with her own money, that itself contradicts the notion of simplicity.
“Simpleng pamumuhay? My goodness, you're going out of the country, ilang bansa ang pinupuntahan mo, simpleng pamumuhay pa po 'yon? Ako nga hindi ako makapunta kahit saan eh, 'di ba?” Abante said.
He added that while he finds it believable that former President Duterte lives simply, he does not extend the same benefit of the doubt to his daughter.
How does the impeachment trial address the wealth allegations?
The impeachment trial's Article II deals with Duterte's alleged unexplained wealth and her failure to accurately declare her net worth in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). Prosecution spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers said that bank and tax records will put the Vice President's simple life image to the test.
Barbers, also an impeachment adviser, said the question many Filipinos are asking is whether the projected simple life is real. He cited records from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and subpoenaed bank documents that could prove hidden wealth.
“Sinabi natin diyan na merong tagong yaman o hindi tamang pagkakapaliwanag ng kanyang yaman, na hindi niya idineklara sa SALN,” Barbers said.
What evidence has been presented so far?
During a House committee on justice hearing, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon claimed that Duterte's net worth rose by over 1,000 percent from 2008 to 2024, which is not proportionate to her salary. Ridon also noted that AMLC Executive Director Buenaventura confirmed suspicious transactions involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, amounting to P6.7 billion, including P4.4 billion in inflows and P1.5 billion in outflows.
Who are the first witnesses for Article II?
Ridon said that former Sandiganbayan presiding justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, Atty. Karen Batu of the Office of the Ombudsman's Records Division, and Atty. Gerardo del Rosario of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will be the first witnesses. Cabotaje-Tang will testify on public accountability principles, Batu will discuss Duterte's SALN details, and Del Rosario will address SEC-registered businesses owned by the Vice President.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sara Duterte's net worth under investigation?
Yes, the impeachment trial includes allegations that Duterte failed to properly declare her net worth in her SALN, with records showing a rise of over 1,000 percent from 2008 to 2024.
What role does the AMLC play in the trial?
The AMLC has provided records of covered and suspicious transactions involving Duterte and her husband, which the prosecution will use to support claims of unexplained wealth.