Prosecutor explains how VP Sara Duterte’s business records could expose her to perjury charges

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 07, 2026

Photo Courtesy: PPAB

Vice President Sara Duterte could face possible perjury charges if investigators establish that she knowingly made false statements in sworn documents involving her business interests, according to a prosecutor cited in a Manila Bulletin report.

The issue centers on discrepancies between Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), corporate filings and other financial documents submitted to government agencies.

During discussions surrounding the impeachment case, House prosecutors pointed to records from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and other institutions to question Duterte’s reported business connections and financial declarations.

Prosecution spokesperson and adviser Ace Barbers previously cited corporate records indicating that Duterte remained listed as a director and executive committee member of Metro City Chow Foods Corp. until 2025, despite serving as vice president since June 2022.

Prosecutors also raised questions about her declared interest in GenCorp Industries Inc. and the reported sale of Cale88 Foods Corp., a company linked to her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.

Perjury generally involves knowingly making a material false statement under oath before a person authorized to administer an oath. However, discrepancies between documents alone do not automatically establish criminal liability. Authorities would still need to determine whether a statement was knowingly false and whether the legal requirements for prosecution were met.

The controversy is also part of the remaining Article II of Duterte’s impeachment case, which involves allegations of unexplained wealth, inaccurate asset declarations and failure to divest from business interests while holding public office. Duterte has disputed the prosecution’s allegations and challenged the interpretation and admissibility of its evidence.

On November 5, the Senate impeachment court admitted several financial, tax, corporate and property records into evidence. It clarified, however, that admitting documents does not mean the senator-judges have accepted the prosecution’s allegations as true.

The defense is scheduled to begin presenting its evidence on November 9.

Any possible perjury case would be separate from the impeachment proceedings and would require its own investigation and legal process.