P6-M Matina property same as P10-M asset in Sara Duterte's SALN, Davao assessor says

The P6 million property in Matina, Davao City that the prosecution in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial alleged to have been left out of her statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) is the same asset located in Barangay 74-A, worth P10 million, listed on the official’s SALN.

This was the testimony on Monday of Engineer Jaime Adalin, Davao’s city assessor, who was presented by the defense panel as its first witness on Day 40 of the impeachment trial.

Adalin answered in the affirmative when President Officer Senator-Judge Francis “Chiz” Escudero asked him if the property he and defense lawyer Atty. Lindon Bacquel had discussed at the start of the hearing was the same asset listed on the Vice President’s 2024 SALN.

The property listed on the SALN had an assessed value of P82,046 and a fair market value of P2,051,150. It is located in Barangay 74-A in Davao City.

How did he determine that the two properties were the same?

“It was based on the tax declaration that was presented a while ago… The tax declaration was cancelled after the sale,” Adalin said.

Escudero then asked why the SALN indicated a value of P10 million when the property’s deed of sale showed a purchase price of P6 million.

“I’m not actually aware, sir,” Adalin said.

Adalin also testified that Matina Crossing and Barangay 74-A were the same barangay.

“We inquired from our Comprehensive Land Use Plan… It says there Marina Crossing 74. And even in the barangay office themselves, there are pictures attached that show Barangay 74-A Matina Crossing,” Adalin said.

He said it was common knowledge in the area.

Bacquel ended his direct examination by asking Adalin if there was no truth to the prosecution’s allegation that the Vice President did not declare the property in her SALN.

The prosecution objected, and this was sustained by Escudero.

Prosecution witness Kathy Florence Baldonado of the Davao City Registry of Deeds testified on October 1 that, based on the deed of sale, there was no such property listed on Duterte’s SALN for the end of 2024.

The property was reportedly bought by Duterte's husband, Atty. Manases Carpio.

Escudero then said he looked into the SALN of the Vice President and did not find the property as one of the real properties declared .

Escudero, however, clarified that the SALN declaration has "limits."

Escudero said, referring to the Transfer Certificate of Title.

“The areas are too generic to identify and find out,” Escudero added. –Llanesca Panti/NB, GMA News