Ombudsman vows impartial probe on VP Sara's assets

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The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday vowed to conduct an impartial probe on the National Bureau of Investigation’s referral on alleged missing declarations of Vice President Sara Duterte in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

“The Office of the Ombudsman confirms receipt of the referral from the NBI concerning the SALN of Vice President Duterte.The Office assures the public that the matter will be handled thoroughly, independently and without any political color,” the Ombudsman siad.

“The referral and its supporting documents will undergo an initial evaluation to determine the appropriate action, including whether further investigation is warranted, in accordance with established procedures and applicable laws,” the Ombudsman added.

On Tuesday, the NBI referred its fact-finding investigation report on Duterte’s SALN to the Ombudsman for evaluation and appropriate action.

“The Bureau refers the matter to your Office, as the constitutional body with primary jurisdiction over public corruption under Article XI of the 1987 Constitution and Section 15 (1) of Republic Act No. 6770. The NBI stands ready to provide further records and to present its agents as witnesses should your Office require them,” the letter to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla read.

Prosecution witness, Atty. Alex Cabrera, testified during Duterte's impeachment trial that she and her husband, based on their joint filed SALN among other financial records, amassed P817 million unexplained wealth at the minimum and P1.5 billion at the maximum.

Cabrera made the conclusion after reviewing the financial records of the Vice President and her husband which include: SALNs, bank transaction and bank deposit records, insurance payment records, income tax returns and corporate records of the busines interests of the Duterte-Carpio couple.

Defense team lead counsel Sheila Sison said Cabrera’s testimony should not be given weight since they were mere “unbridled and erroneous conclusions of law and fact.” —VAL, GMA News