During the Senate impeachment trial on Wednesday, November 11, Gencorp Industries Inc. in-house counsel Suzette Balucanag-Punay acknowledged that only Vice President Sara Duterte could explain why she declared herself a shareholder of the company in her 2024 and 2025 Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), despite corporate records omitting her name.
Under cross-examination by private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan regarding the conflicting disclosures, Punay conceded that the respondent was the only one capable of addressing the discrepancy.
“I cannot answer for the Vice President, ma’am,”
When asked if Duterte herself could clarify the issue, the witness answered:
“She can answer, yes.”
Prosecution Cites Conflict of Interest
Following the hearing, House prosecutors thanked the defense team, asserting that Punay’s testimony inadvertently reinforced allegations that Duterte received income from a private corporation while in office—an apparent violation of Section 13, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, which prohibits top officials from participating in business or holding financial interests in government contracts.
Punay confirmed that Duterte received approximately ₱2.14 million from Gencorp between 2022 and 2025, describing the payments as capital returns from an informal or “loose investment” linked to Jollibee franchises in Davao City.
Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua questioned the defense’s characterization of the funds, noting the contradiction with previous claims that Duterte held no investments in the firm.
“At yun po ang gustong patunayan ng defense, pero lumalabas sa kanilang testigo na ang VP ay nakakatanggap ng, sabi nga nila, loose investment. Minsan may buwan at minsan may buwan na wala,” Chua said.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong added that the testimony provided clearer evidence of a potential conflict of interest involving corporate transactions with the local government.
“Maraming salamat kay Atty. Suzette dahil napatunayan niya may conflict of interest ang pag-secure ng government contracts ng Gencorp sa Davao City, dahil inamin niya may nakukuha si VP na loose investment sa Gencorp,” Adiong stated.
Although the impeachment court, led by Presiding Officer and Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, has not compelled Duterte to personally appear, the prosecution maintains that her direct testimony is essential to address the ongoing financial inquiries.