Next Witnesses To Testify On Sara Duterte’s Business Interests, Gov’t Deals

The House prosecution panel is preparing witnesses to testify on Vice President Sara Duterte’s declared business interests, possible government contracts and registered firearms for this week’s impeachment hearings. 

Counsel for the prosecution Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said at a Saturday News Forum that the presentations will depend on the progress of the hearings, with oral arguments on the two-thirds conviction threshold scheduled on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Tolosa said the Civil Service Commission witness would explain statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) filing guidelines, while the Securities and Exchange Commission representative would address companies in which Duterte declared financial interests. 

Meanwhile, a witness from the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System and a representative of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. Regional Office XI’s bids and awards committee will be asked about government dealings involving the Vice President’s companies. 

A representative from the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office would then address the firearms registered to Duterte and her husband.

Tolosa said the testimony of Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte aims to examine whether GenCorp Industries, a company identified in the Vice President’s SALN, had dealings with the city government.

The business records would also address allegations that Duterte failed to divest and participated in businesses while Vice President, he said. 

The panel will also be seeking the Senate impeachment court to classify the Davao City Mayor as another hostile witness in the impeachment trial of his sister. 

Once the younger Duterte is declared a hostile witness, the prosecution can ask him more “leading questions” which can be answered by “yes or no,” Tolosa said.

The impeachment court is currently discussing Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which involves the alleged unexplained wealth of the Vice President. 

Sub judice

Tolosa also said the Senate impeachment court should apply its sub judice rule equally to the Vice President over her statement that President Marcos controls senators.

He raised the issue after he and public prosecutor Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon were ordered to explain separate public statements being reviewed for possible violations of Rule 18. 

Both have submitted their responses to the impeachment court.

Rule 18 requires the presiding officer, senators, prosecutors, the impeached official and their respective counsels to refrain from public comments and disclosures pertaining to the merits of a pending impeachment trial.

Tolosa said the prosecution was not seeking preferential treatment but wanted the same rule applied consistently to everyone it covers, including the Vice President. 

In a Sept. 7 video message discussing her impeachment trial and other legal cases, Duterte told supporters that even if President Marcos controlled senators, prosecutors, judges and police, she had many lawyers helping her fight and win her cases.

“That is an attack against the integrity of the impeachment court, to say that the President is controlling the senators,” Tolosa said.

Tolosa argued that the reference to senators bears directly on the impeachment proceedings because the senators Duterte referred to are also sitting as judges in her trial.

He said the statement could create the impression among Duterte’s supporters that an adverse ruling against her resulted from presidential influence rather than the senators’ independent assessment of the case.