Prosec: P463-M in VP’s wealth unexplained even sans firm assets

MANILA, Philippines —Vice President Sara Z. Duterte must still account for more than P463 million in alleged unexplained wealth even after removing amounts linked to companies associated with her and her husband, Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, House prosecution spokesman, said on Thursday.

In a press briefing, Alonto Adiong said the prosecution’s findings remained substantial even without including the disputed corporate assets and income in its calculations.

According to Alonto Adiong, the amount totaled P463,046,459 based on financial documents reviewed by forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera.

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READ: Analyst: VP Sara didn’t declare P817-million wealth

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It represents the portion of Cabrera’s P817.87-million estimate of alleged undeclared assets and unexplained wealth that the prosecution said remained after excluding amounts attributed to corporate interests.

Cabrera examined financial records involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, covering 2022 to 2025.

His findings were based on bank balances, real properties, possible undeclared income, and interests in several businesses.

Among the companies he examined were Metro City Chow Foods Corp., Gencorp Industries Inc., and Cale88 Foods Corp., which the prosecution linked to Duterte or Carpio through corporate records.

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The defense has questioned whether the financial assets and transactions of these companies could properly be counted as part of the couple’s personal wealth.

Alonto Adiong said removing those disputed corporate amounts would still leave a significant sum that Duterte needed to explain.

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The prosecution has also raised questions about bank deposits allegedly missing from Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, as well as differences between her declared earnings and other financial records.

Alonto Adiong maintained that Duterte, as a public official, had a responsibility to fully disclose her assets and explain their sources.

The P463-million figure remains an allegation based on the prosecution’s analysis and has not been established as unexplained wealth by the Senate impeachment court.

READ: Prosecution presents review of VP Duterte’s financial records

Duterte has denied wrongdoing, while her lawyers have disputed the financial evidence presented against her.

Only Article II, which covers alleged unexplained wealth, remains in the impeachment case after the House prosecution withdrew three other charges.

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The defense is expected to start presenting evidence when the trial resumes November 9. /atm