MANILA — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed on Monday, April 6, that his office is prepared to comply with a subpoena issued by the House of Representatives to release the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of Vice President Sara Duterte. The move facilitates the House Committee on Justice’s scheduled hearing on April 14, as part of the ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.
During a press conference held this Monday morning, Remulla stated that his office received the “subpoena testificandum et duces tecum” originally dated March 31. The directive requires the submission of certified true copies of Duterte’s financial disclosures covering her tenure from 2007–2013, 2016–2022, and 2022–2025. The Vice President currently faces two verified impeachment complaints alleging betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.
“Meron pong subpoena sa amin ang House tungkol sa SALN at ito ay tinanggap namin at ibibigay namin ang SALN ni VP Sara (The House sent us a subpoena about SALN and we received it and will give the SALN of Vice Sara),” Remulla said. He confirmed he would send the SALN custodian to personally deliver the documents to the House of Representatives in time for the April 14 proceedings at 10 a.m.
While moving to cooperate with the inquiry into the Vice President, Remulla simultaneously announced a stern legal stance regarding a separate investigation into legislative funds. The Ombudsman declared his intent to cite House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil in contempt for allegedly refusing to receive subpoenas for the SALNs of House Deputy Secretary General Sofronio Gabonada and other lawmakers linked to anomalous flood control projects.
Remulla revealed that these documents are essential to a brewing plunder investigation targeting high-profile political figures, which he expects to formalize next month. “In the same light, I’d like to say we have been seriously preparing a case of plunder against former speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate president Chiz Escudero. Plunder ang aming hinahandang kaso laban sa kanila (We are preparing plunder against them) with the element of conspiracy,” Remulla added. He specified that the case is “flood control related in so many ways” and is slated for filing in May.
Asserting the authority of his office, Remulla stressed that the refusal to cooperate with the probe would not be tolerated. “At di kami papayag na balewalain nila ang Office of the Ombudsman (And we will not allow the Office of the Ombudsman to be ignored),” he said. He noted that the investigation involves how both houses of Congress passed the national budget and could affect numerous other members of the legislature.
In response to the Ombudsman’s statements on Monday, Atty. Ade Fajardo, spokesperson for Romualdez, stated that their camp has taken note of reports regarding the preparation of the complaint. Fajardo clarified that as of April 6, there is no filed case, no finding of probable cause, and no determination of liability. He maintained that they respect the Ombudsman’s processes and will cooperate if a formal proceeding begins.
Fajardo also reminded the Ombudsman of a circular Remulla himself instituted as then-Secretary of Justice, which mandates that prosecutors should only pursue cases with a reasonable certainty of conviction. “We want to emphasize that, to-date, there is no evidence linking Rep. Romualdez to any ghost and substandard projects pertaining to the flood control issue. We remain confident that these matters will be resolved based on evidence and due process—not politics or speculation,” Fajardo said.|
