Malacañang questions VP Sara Duterte’s move to exclude SALN evidence

Neena Mae Rayos, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
June 24, 2026

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook)

PHILIPPINES – Malacañang has sharply criticized Vice President Sara Duterte’s attempt to exclude key documents from the impeachment proceedings against her. These documents include her statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs).

Palace Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said that removing these records will take away the opportunity for the Vice President to prove her innocence, calling the SALNs the “core” of the case regarding allegations of unexplained wealth.

The impeachment effort consolidates four complaints accusing Duterte of misuse of confidential funds, corruption, bribery, SALN violations, and inflammatory remarks targeting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

When pressed on Duterte’s latest accomplishment report, Castro offered a short reply: “Okay. Noted,” but questioned the credibility of the figures, citing prior reports of “ghost” beneficiaries in school and welfare programs. She stressed that numerical reporting alone is insufficient without verification of actual delivery.

Addressing Duterte’s claim that critics of the Marcos administration face suspension, Castro pushed back, stating that while the administration enforces the law against fake news, “at least they do not end up as victims of extrajudicial killings.” She emphasized that no critic has been suspended to date, but if one were, they would still be alive—a pointed contrast to past administrations.

The pre-trial is to conclude on June 25 while the impeachment trial is scheduled to begin on July 6.