Vice President Sara Duterte has issued a strong denial against long-standing allegations of hidden wealth raised by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, dismissing them as recycled accusations without evidence. In a statement released on Thursday, April 23, 2026, Duterte accused political forces of orchestrating attacks against her and her family, framing the claims as part of a broader machinery aimed at undermining her reputation.
Decade-Old Accusations Dismissed
Duterte emphasized that Trillanes' assertions about billions of pesos in bank accounts linked to her family have persisted for nearly a decade without substantiation. "For nearly a decade, Mr. Antonio Trillanes IV has been peddling the same incredible story... From 2016 to 2026, nothing in his narrative has changed. What has changed, however, is the machinery now backing him," she stated. The Vice President pointed to what she described as a coordinated effort involving a sitting President, members of the House of Representatives, the Commission on Audit, and newly installed Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) officials, all allegedly aligning with political attacks.
Impeachment Hearing Details
During the resumption of impeachment hearings by the House Committee on Justice on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Trillanes submitted an affidavit detailing alleged hidden wealth of the Duterte clan. This includes former President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, her husband lawyer Manases Carpio, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo 'Pulong' Duterte, Davao City Mayor Sebastian 'Baste' Duterte, former President Duterte's common-law wife Cielito 'Honeylet' Avanceña, and their daughter Veronica 'Kitty' Duterte. Trillanes claimed that based on his research, a total of P2,407,272,103.75 flowed through bank accounts associated with the Dutertes from 2003 to 2016, and accused them of receiving around P181,653,487.36 from alleged drug lord Samuel Uy.
Defense of Public Service Record
Duterte maintained that her public service record remains "clean," with all assets properly declared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). "Every centavo is from legitimate sources and supported by documents. Ang mga totoong magnanakaw, hindi sa bangko pinapasok ang pera—kundi sa maleta," she asserted, implying that real thieves do not use banks but suitcases for illicit funds. However, the House hearing also discussed entries in Sara Duterte's and her husband's SALNs, noting no reported cash on hand or in bank from 2019 to 2024, and AMLC reports of suspicious transactions totaling P6,771,227,712.95 in accounts linked to the couple.
Broader Political Critique
Beyond the allegations, Duterte took a swipe at the administration, highlighting systemic abuse of government institutions for political ends. She raised concerns about mishandled issues affecting Filipinos, such as flood control funds, rising prices, poverty, and peace efforts in Mindanao. Additionally, she pointed to public safety and foreign policy direction as more urgent matters than the impeachment-related controversies she faces, framing the attacks as distractions from critical national problems.
