VP Sara Duterte: “Real thieves don’t put money in the bank—but in suitcases”

VP Sara Duterte: “Real thieves don’t put money in the bank—but in suitcases”

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | April 23, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte has forcefully denied explosive allegations made by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV during a House Justice Committee hearing on April 22, refuting claims that she and her immediate family received P181 million from an alleged drug lord.

In a direct statement released today, Vice President Duterte maintained that her public service record is “clean” and asserted that “every cent” of her money and assets originates from legitimate sources, fully declared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and supported by “necessary documentation.”

Trillanes, a former Oakwood mutineer, reiterated his long-standing accusation during the impeachment hearing, alleging that P181 million was transferred from a supposed drug lord named Sammy Uy to various bank accounts linked to the Duterte family.

Specifically, Trillanes claimed P22.3 million went to the Vice President, P15.65 million to her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, P51.5 million to Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and P38.3 million to Davao First District Rep. Paolo Duterte. Further allegations detailed P42.62 million in a joint account of Honeylet Avanceña (the former president’s common-law wife) and their daughter Veronica Duterte, with an additional P10.65 million in Avanceña’s individual account.

Vice President Duterte dismissed Trillanes’ claims as a recycled narrative, stating he has been “peddling the same incredible story” since 2016. She alleged a shift in the former senator’s backing, now claiming support from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., certain members of the House of Representatives, the Commission on Audit (COA), and significantly, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

In a critical counter-allegation, Duterte pointed out the AMLC’s “silence” and their refusal “to clarify that there have been no findings of violations of anti-money laundering laws, and that the billions of pesos in bank accounts are untrue.” This statement follows an earlier confirmation by the AMLC on Wednesday that at least 18 bank transactions linked to Duterte and her family, as cited in Trillanes’ affidavit, do indeed “match records of covered and suspicious transaction reports.” The AMLC’s confirmation, without elaborating on the nature or findings of these reports, adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing dispute.

Advising the public to disregard the “noise of impeachment proceedings,” Vice President Duterte drew a sharp distinction between legitimate financial dealings and illicit gains. “Real thieves don’t put money in the bank—but in suitcases,” she declared.

Concluding her statement with a scathing critique of what she perceives as political maneuvering, Duterte asserted, “As the administration’s use and abuse of our institutions for political reasons deepens, their fear of being held accountable becomes more apparent. As their accusations against me intensify, so does their silence and fear of being held accountable for the billions of pesos stolen, placed in suitcases, and brought out of the country.”

This escalating political showdown, fueled by serious allegations and counter-allegations involving high-profile figures and government institutions, is poised to remain a dominant headline as the House Justice Committee proceeds with its deliberations. The Vice President’s steadfast defense and her pointed accusations against those she claims are orchestrating this campaign underscore the intensity of the current political climate.