Sara denies owning fastfood franchise

Vice President Sara Duterte arrives at the Senate in Pasay City on July 7, 2026 to meet with members of her defense team ahead of the continuation of her impeachment trial.

The Philippine STAR / Ryan Baldemor

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte denied owning a popular fastfood restaurant following the testimony of a prosecution witness that a company listed in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) owns at least five franchises in Davao City.

“I do not own a Jollibee franchise or any other franchise. I previously invested in a company that is part of a legitimate business organization owned and operated by individuals with an established reputation for integrity and good standing,” Duterte said in a statement.

Accountant-lawyer Alexander Cabrera claimed that Duterte and her husband Manases Carpio had unexplained wealth amounting to at least P1.5 billion based on voluminous bank, tax and other government records.

Cabrera bared the computation upon impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero’s query as the prosecution presented its case on Article II or unexplained wealth against Duterte.

The witness explained that his original findings were based on a conservative examination of financial records involving Duterte and her husband.

Cabrera cited P475 million in confidential funds that he had excluded, around P100 million in additional financial discrepancies and potentially higher amounts involving GenCorp Industries Inc., a company linked to the couple.

Duterte maintained that investing in a company does not automatically equate to owning the company itself, much less owning, managing or operating its individual businesses or franchises.