Ombudsman to scrutinize Sara Duterte’s wealth declarations after NBI referral

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 15, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Office of the Ombudsman/Facebook

The Office of the Ombudsman has confirmed receiving the National Bureau of Investigation’s findings on alleged discrepancies in Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), pledging a thorough evaluation of the documents before determining the appropriate action.

The development follows the NBI’s referral of its fact-finding report to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on October 13. The investigation examined Duterte’s 2024 and 2025 SALNs and compared the declarations with certified copies of land titles obtained from the Land Registration Authority.

The NBI said it was referring the matter to the Ombudsman, which has primary jurisdiction over public corruption cases, for further evaluation. The bureau also expressed its willingness to provide additional records and present investigators as witnesses if required.

The referral does not automatically establish wrongdoing by the vice president. The Ombudsman must assess the available evidence and determine whether it warrants further investigation or other legal action.

The issue comes amid continuing scrutiny of Duterte’s declared wealth, particularly following questions raised about possible gaps between her SALN declarations and other financial records during the ongoing impeachment proceedings.

Duterte has rejected allegations concerning her wealth, describing the controversy as politically motivated. Her camp has also challenged claims raised against her during the impeachment proceedings.

The Ombudsman’s review is separate from the Senate impeachment trial, where the vice president faces allegations involving unexplained wealth and undisclosed business interests. The prosecution has maintained that its financial evidence supports its remaining article of impeachment.

The outcome of the Ombudsman’s evaluation could determine whether the NBI findings lead to a formal investigation or further legal proceedings. For now, the allegations remain subject to verification, and any determination of liability would depend on the evidence and applicable legal processes.