APRIL 22, 2026 — Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment drama has taken a sharper turn after Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña confirmed that her alleged joint bank account with former President Rodrigo Duterte remains active — fueling fresh questions about transparency, hidden wealth, and accountability.

Cendaña revealed he personally deposited ₱448 into one of the accounts under Sara and Rodrigo Duterte’s names, proving its activity despite years of denial. 

“Kahapon lang personal ako na nag-deposit sa isa sa mga alleged bank accounts na nakapangalan kina VP Sara Duterte at ang kanyang ama na si former President Rodrigo Duterte,” he said. 

(Just yesterday, I personally deposited into one of the alleged bank accounts under VP Sara Duterte and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.)

He challenged the Dutertes’ refusal to open their accounts.

“Bakit nga ba ayaw pabuksan ang bank accounts kung wala namang tinatago? Nakakasilaw ba ang laman? Sobrang iskandaloso ba ang halaga ng mga perang nakadeposito?” he asked. 

(Why won’t they allow their bank accounts to be opened if they have nothing to hide? Is what’s inside too dazzling? Are the amounts of money deposited too scandalous?)

This revelation comes as the House justice panel prepares to scrutinize financial documents, tax records, and bank transactions in Sara Duterte’s impeachment hearings. The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has already reported ₱6.7 billion worth of suspicious transactions linked to Sara and her husband, Manases Carpio, spanning 2006 to 2025. Of this, ₱3.7 billion was attributed to Sara alone.

The allegations aren’t new. Back in 2016, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV exposed supposed joint accounts of the Duterte father and daughter containing millions of pesos allegedly undeclared in their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs).

At a time when families struggle with rising costs of living, the idea of billions quietly moving through accounts tied to top officials is not just scandalous — it’s enraging. Transparency is a constitutional duty, yet the Dutertes’ resistance to scrutiny paints a troubling picture of entitlement and secrecy.

If Sara Duterte insists she has nothing to hide, why not sign a waiver and disclose the full contents of her accounts? Why let suspicions fester when public trust is already fragile?

And if billions in questionable transactions are linked to the country’s highest leaders, how much longer should we tolerate silence instead of accountability?

(Image: Philippine News Agency)