Palace questions timing of report on Duterte family’s wealth

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Thursday questioned the timing of a report claiming that President Rodrigo Duterte and his family have allegedly become wealthier while in public office.

In a statement, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo noted that the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) report on Duterte’s wealth is “nothing new” as it has been the “favorite subject of media reports during election campaign season.”

Panelo, who is also Duterte’s chief legal counsel, also said that the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of the President are public documents that are open for scrutiny.

“The timing of the release is very much suspect; however, public documents on the matter, including their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, are public records and open for public scrutiny,” Panelo said.

“The President, being a lawyer, would not prepare or even sign a document which contains falsehoods or omits matters that require to be so indicated,” he added.

Panelo stressed that “these documents would speak for themselves and ultimately, it is the Filipino electorate who would be the judge on who to believe in this regard.”

The PCIJ released a report entitled “Duterte, Sara, Paolo mark big spikes in wealth, cash, while in public office” on Thursday, raising questions on how the Dutertes’ wealth swelled.

The report said that the President’s net worth soared to P28.5 million in 2017 from P934,000 in 1998.

The PCIJ also reported that the net worth of presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte -Carpio jumped from P13.8 million in 2007 to P44.8 million in 2017.

Meanwhile, the net worth of the Chief Executive’s eldest son and former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte also reportedly increased to P27.7 million in 2017 from P11.7 million in 2007. / gsg