PASAY CITY, Philippines — House prosecutors expressed strong skepticism following Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s testimony before the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, September 29, regarding his sister Vice President Sara Duterte’s local business dealings.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong, a spokesperson for the prosecution panel, rejected the mayor’s claim that he was unaware of the Vice President’s financial stake in Gencorp Industries Inc., a firm that obtained millions in municipal contracts.
“We were not born yesterday. Alam natin, sa isang alkalde, alam niya ang ins and outs ng kanyang city,” Adiong said during a press conference after the trial session.
Adiong emphasized that the sheer volume of paperwork handling does not absolve a city leader from oversight.
“Signing of voluminous papers does not give one an excuse to be blinded, especially on matters relating to the economy of his own constituents,” he added.
During the 30th day of the impeachment proceedings, Mayor Duterte acknowledged that Davao City conducted 19 transactions with Gencorp, amounting to over ₱33 million. The Vice President listed Gencorp among her financial connections in her 2024 and 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
These dealings fall under Article II of the impeachment charges, which focuses on alleged unexplained wealth and financial disclosure discrepancies.
Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, another prosecution panel member, reinforced Adiong’s stance, arguing that city executive leadership bears ultimate responsibility for municipal policy and contracts.
“Bagama’t maaaring hindi nila alam ’yung iba, maaaring siyempre hindi mo na lahat ’yan nare-review, pero walang mga patakaran ng siyudad ang mangyayari na hindi nalalaman ng alkalde. ’Yun lang ang sigurado ko diyan,” Chua said.
“Unless ikaw ay inasa mo na lamang ang iyong siyudad sa ibang tao. Pero insofar as ang pagiging mayor is concerned, pananagutan mo kasi ang lahat ng pwedeng mangyari diyan,” he added.