By Politiko staff
Private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan said she is eager to dive into Article 2 of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, which deals with unexplained wealth, saying the trial will finally expose whether the official’s frequent overseas trips were funded by questionable means.
During a press conference on Wednesday, August 19, Kapunan raised eyebrows over the Vice President’s repeated claims that her international travels were paid for out of her own pocket.
“Alam naman natin ang suweldo ng Vice President. So pupunta tayo sa susunod na article, unexplained. Kung sinasabi niyang ginagamit personal funds, panay ang biyahe niya sa The Hague, sa Europe. Dami niyang dinadalaw sa Middle East,” Kapunan pointed out.
Kapunan noted that the Vice President now appears focused on Asian destinations, citing a recent trip to Japan.
“Marami siyang (biyahe) and she’s saying she’s using personal funds. Aba, Madam Vice President baka ayan na ‘yung unexplained mo,” Kapunan quipped.
Prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon earlier revealed that Duterte racked up 91 travel trips over the past two years, covering 2025 up to July 16–31.
According to the lawmaker, based on United Nations Daily Subsistence Allowance standards for airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, and incidental expenses, each trip easily costs between ₱5 million and ₱8 million. However, Duterte declared a net worth of only ₱98.6 million in her 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
“Yan ang susunod na article natin. How do you explain your personal funds if it is stated in your SALN kung ano ang suweldo nyo, ano ang businesses ng asawa ninyo, eh saan nangyayari yung personal funds na ginagastos mo para sa mga travels mo?” Kapunan asked.
“Eh ‘di unexplained ‘yun? Eh di exciting ang istorya sa susunod na article natin sa impeachment,” she added.—Politiko.com.ph
