MANILA – House prosecutor Chel Diokno agreed to examine the latest findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) concerning properties linked to Vice President Sara Duterte and her family following a request from Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo during the Senate impeachment trial on Monday, October 12.
Tulfo raised the matter after the NBI presented findings indicating significant discrepancies between the declared values of properties in the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) of the Vice President and Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and the bureau’s preliminary property valuations.
“So you haven’t seen this video yet, Mr. Prosecutor?” Tulfo asked Diokno, referring to the NBI presentation.
“No,” Diokno replied.
Tulfo then asked whether the prosecution would review the NBI’s findings to determine whether its investigation and conclusions were accurate.
“Ito pong pinalabas ng NBI. Would you later look into this to counter-check kung tama po itong investigation ng NBI?” the senator-judge asked.
“Sure, we will do that, your honor,” Diokno responded.
Earlier Monday, NBI Director Melvin Matibag presented the bureau’s examination of properties associated with the Vice President and her brother, Paolo Duterte.
According to the NBI’s initial assessment, substantial differences were identified between property values declared in their SALNs and the bureau’s preliminary estimates.
The findings raised questions about the valuation of the properties and whether the amounts reflected in the financial disclosures accurately represented their assessed values.
However, differences between declared property values and current estimates do not automatically establish misdeclaration, as the applicable valuation methods and reporting requirements must also be considered.
Diokno’s commitment to review the NBI presentation came as the impeachment court continued examining financial records, property declarations and other evidence related to allegations against the Vice President.
The prosecution has yet to announce the results of its review or whether the NBI findings will be incorporated into its presentation before the impeachment court.
