MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte testified on Tuesday that he has no personal insight into the business interests or corporate holdings of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, despite their familial connection.
Appearing on the 31st day of the Senate impeachment trial, the younger Duterte responded to questions from defense counsel Atty. Justin Gular regarding the Vice President’s investments, financial assets, and potential beneficial ownership, maintaining that the siblings do not discuss personal financial matters.
”We simply do not discuss this,” Duterte stated during the cross-examination.
”I did not ask. It’s her privacy,” he added, noting that he did not see it as his duty to keep track of her personal investments.
Mayor Duterte also stated he was unaware of any financial connections between his sister and GenCorp Industries Inc., a private firm based in Davao that was listed as part of her business interests in her 2024 and 2025 Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
Addressing the 19 municipal contracts totaling over ₱33 million awarded to GenCorp by the local government, Duterte affirmed that the agreements were lawful and reached without favoritism.
He confirmed that “no favor, special treatment, special accommodation” was extended to the firm during the procurement process.
House prosecutors called the Davao City mayor as a witness to bolster their case under Article II of the impeachment complaint, which charges Vice President Duterte with retaining unlawful financial interests, filing inaccurate SALNs, and accumulating unexplained wealth while holding public office.