PASAY CITY, Philippines — Senator Raffy Tulfo raised concerns on Monday regarding why the legal advisers of Vice President Sara Duterte failed to instruct her to relinquish her private business interests prior to assuming office.
Tulfo delivered his remarks during the 27th day of Duterte’s Senate impeachment proceedings after corporate filings revealed her involvement in a private firm while holding executive office.
“I’m very sure, nung siya’y tumakbo sa pagka-VP, maraming mga nakapaligid sa kanyang mga brilliant lawyers, and no doubt about that,” Tulfo said during his manifestation.
“Wala man lang ni isa sa kanila nakapag-advice sa kanya na, ‘VP, kailangan mong mag-divest (sa mga business) kasi bawal ‘yan’,” he added.
The remarks followed testimony from Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Director Gerardo del Rosario, who confirmed through agency records that Duterte served on the board of directors of Metro City Chow Foods Corporation between 2022 and 2025 while retaining 500 shares in the enterprise.
Under Section 13, Article VII of the Constitution, the Vice President is barred from participating in any business, directly or indirectly, during their term of office.
Presiding Officer and Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero reframed the senator’s manifestation into an inquiry for the SEC representative.
“Sa pananaw ba ng SEC, bawal ‘yun? Bawal ba magmay-ari ng korporasyon ang isang pangulo at ikalawang pangulo?” Escudero asked Del Rosario.
In response, Del Rosario clarified the agency’s regulatory scope regarding public officials.
“Wala pong gano’ng direktiba sa’min na kinakailangan naming i-ulat ‘yung mga opisyal na hindi dapat magmay-ari, maging partisipante ng isang kumpanya,” Del Rosario replied.
When Tulfo pressed the defense panel on what guidance lawyers should have provided to the Vice President regarding her corporate holdings, defense counsel Atty. Justin Gular declined to address the query.
“We have been often reminded not to tackle conclusions of law. As findings on conclusion of law, respectfully, Your Honor, is within your discretion and the senator-judges,” Gular stated.
The impeachment court is evaluating Article II of the complaint, which alleges that Duterte failed to divest from her commercial holdings during her tenure as Vice President.