MANILA, Philippines — House prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte presented a contract on Tuesday, September 22, alleging that Gencorp Industries Inc. operates a Jollibee fast-food franchise in Davao City.
The trial document connects the firm to the “Jollibee Bolton” branch located at the intersection of Bolton and J.P. Rizal streets in Barangay 12-B, Davao City.
Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon, a member of the prosecution panel, asserted that the evidence clearly establishes the company’s tie to the popular chain.
“Wag na po tayong magpanggap na hindi po ito Jollibee. Kaya nga ang pinag-uusapan natin dito, bida ang sarap, bida po ’yung ebidensya. It is not sub judice because it is in the contract itself,” Ridon told reporters.
“In fact, pagka nakita po sa contract—this is not sub judice because it’s in the contract itself—Jollibee Foods Corporation po ’yung pinag-usapan dito,” he added.
The revelation followed testimony from Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) Division Chief Rendell Sopeña. During direct examination, lead prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro asked Sopeña if “Jollibee Bolton” referred to the well-known restaurant brand.
The defense objected, and Sopeña replied that he was “not familiar,” prompting the prosecution to point to details within the contract identifying it as a Gencorp franchise under Jollibee Foods Corporation.
According to prosecutors, proving the franchise link validates Gencorp’s ongoing business operations and commercial presence. Sopeña testified that Gencorp has obtained 49 government contracts total, valued at ₱35.88 million, since Duterte took office as Vice President.
The breakdown of these procurement deals includes:
- Davao City Government: 15 contracts worth ₱34.22 million.
- PhilHealth Region XI: 33 contracts worth ₱1.33 million.
- OWWA Region XI: 1 contract worth ₱330,000.
Ridon highlighted that the Vice President publicly listed her financial interest as a stockholder of Gencorp in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs). He further noted that the bulk of the company’s government deals were forged with the Davao City local government, currently headed by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, the Vice President’s brother.
“But very important, nakita po natin ano ba talaga ’yung operational existence nito pong Gencorp na ito. So, may mga kontrata po sila, PhilHealth, OWWA, the City Government of Davao,” Ridon said.
“Katulad po ng binanggit ng atin pong Lead Prosecutor kanina, nakita po natin dito ’yun pong kontrata ng Gencorp ay ‘yung kapatid ng ating pong Pangalawang Pangulo,” Ridon added. “At sinabi mismo sa SALN ng Pangalawang Pangulo, siya po ay stockholder ng Gencorp.”