Malacañang on Friday defended the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) move to turn over its investigation report on Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s alleged property misdeclarations to the Office of the Ombudsman, saying the probe is consistent with its mandate.

Palace Press Office Undersecretary Claire Castro made the statement in response to an accusation by Duterte’s camp that the administration was undertaking a “whole-of-government approach” to destroy the Vice President’s name.

“Ang gobyerno, ang pamahalaan, ang Pangulo ay ipinapatupad ang whole of government approach para labanan natin ang epekto ng El Niño, ang epekto ng krisis sa Middle East pero hindi para i-down or husgahan ang isang tao (The government is undertaking this approach to deal with the impacts of El Niño, the effects of the Middle East crisis, but not to bring down or judge any person),” she said.

Castro added that the work being carried out by the NBI and Director Melvin Matibag should not be misconstrued as an attempt to disparage the Vice President.
She advised her camp to address the matter directly.

“Ito naman po ay naaayon sa kanyang mandato. Mas sisihin po natin ang mga opisyal na hindi nagta-trabaho ng naaayon sa kanilang mandato (It is entirely consistent with his mandate. We ought to hold accountable those officials who fail to perform the duties mandated of them),” she said.

“Hindi naman ibig sabihin ng pagpapakita ng mga ebidensya, pagpapakita ng mga maaaring anomalya ng isang public official ito ay para gibain at sirain itong nasabing opisyal (Presenting evidence or putting to light irregularities concerning a public official does not automatically mean it is intended to destroy that person),” she added.

The Office of the Ombudsman, which received the referral from the NBI concerning discrepancies in properties declared by Duterte in her 2024 and 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, said it would handle the matter “thoroughly, independently and without any political color.” (PNA)