MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte testified before the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, stating that the municipal government awarded 19 contracts to GenCorp Industries Inc.—four more than the 15 reported in government procurement data.
During the ongoing trial of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, member of the prosecution panel and former Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Theodore Te asked the mayor to clarify whether Davao City had issued 15 contracts to the firm.
“No, this is 19. It is in the statement,” Sebastian replied.
The conflicting figures prompted Te to request additional time to review roughly 100 pages of documents submitted by the mayor following a Senate subpoena.
“Considering that the PhilGEPS representative identified only 15, and (Mayor) Duterte is saying now there are 19,” Te noted while asking for time to cross-reference the filings.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, acting as presiding officer of the court, granted permission for both legal teams to examine the records during the noon break.
Previously, Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) Division Chief Rendell Sopeña testified that agency records reflected 15 contracts granted by Davao City to GenCorp, amounting to ₱34,216,900.
PhilGEPS entries showed that four of these contracts went through public bidding, while 11 were executed via negotiated small-value procurement.
In a September 21 statement, Mayor Duterte previously stated that the local government actually held 19 contracts with GenCorp totaling ₱33,263,161—a statement he formally reconfirmed under oath.
Under direct examination by Te, the mayor acknowledged his duties as the local government’s Head of Procuring Entity (HOPE). He acknowledged holding final authority over crucial steps in the procurement workflow, including setting the Bids and Awards Committee, approving contract awards, and endorsing the Annual Procurement Plan.
The mayor further admitted that he authorized Assistant City Administrator for Administration Tristan Dwight Domingo to execute contracts on his behalf.
“You are aware, Mr. Mayor, that delegating your signing authority to Atty. Domingo does not delegate your accountability as the Hope?” Te asked.
“Of course,” the mayor responded.
When pressed on whether he remains the ultimate accountable official, the mayor answered in the affirmative.