Duterte defence witness fails to link Davao property to SALN

The first witness for Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio's defence could not confirm that a Davao City property belonged to her husband as declared in her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth. The Davao City assessor testified that the property's title could match the SALN entry but admit

The first witness presented by Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio's defence team failed to establish that a Davao City property identified as belonging to her husband was the same property declared in her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN). Davao City assessor Jaime C. Adalin testified that a property covered by a transfer certificate of title ending in 0775 could possibly be the same property listed in Ms. Duterte's 2024 and 2025 SALNs, but admitted he could not confirm this.

The issue surfaced during cross-examination by private prosecutor Benjamin S. Tolosa, Jr., prompting Presiding Officer Francis G. Escudero to intervene. 'Is it possible that the title ending in 0775 is what the Vice-President mentioned in her SALN?' Mr. Escudero asked. 'Yes, possibly,' Mr. Adalin replied. 'Is it also possible that it is not?' Mr. Escudero asked. 'I'm not quite sure of that, sir,' Mr. Adalin said.

Earlier, Mr. Adalin testified that the property's assessed value was P5.24 million and its market value was P6.99 million. He also identified the property's location in Matina Crossing, Davao City, as matching a location appearing in Ms. Duterte's 2024 and 2025 SALNs. However, the SALNs listed the property's assessed value at P10 million. Mr. Tolosa pressed the witness on the discrepancy and suggested the SALN entry could refer to a different property. Mr. Adalin did not give a direct answer.

The prosecutor also questioned Mr. Adalin about the property's description in the SALN as a residential lot despite the presence of commercial improvements. Shown a photograph of a commercial building allegedly standing on the property, Mr. Adalin said he was unsure whether it depicted the same site. Senator-Judge Francis Pancratius N. Pangilinan interjected: 'Clearly, there are inconsistencies in your testimony. You say one thing and then you say another thing. So we are wondering which things you're saying are true.'

Mr. Adalin's testimony later drew scrutiny over his relationship with the Duterte family. He acknowledged that he was appointed Davao City assessor in 2017 by then-Mayor Ms. Duterte after serving as acting city assessor for a year. Mr. Tolosa also asked whether Mr. Adalin had joined an all-expense-paid trip to China sponsored by the Chinese consulate in November 2025. Initially, the witness said he could not recall such a trip and questioned its relevance. After repeated questioning and a brief recess, Mr. Adalin said he had contacted his office and confirmed that he travelled to China in 2025. However, he said he could not remember who paid for the trip or which places he visited. Senator-Judge Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel said it was 'unbelievable' that the witness could not recall details of the visit.