Baste Duterte faces Senate grilling over city deals with Sara-linked firm

The questioning centered on financial dealings between Davao City government and GenCorp Industries Inc, which Vice President Sara Duterte listed in her statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth. Senate prosecutors pressed the mayor on the nature and scope of contracts awarded to the company, seeking to establish potential conflicts of interest or impropriety in government procurement.

Duterte's designation as a hostile witness indicated his reluctance to cooperate fully with the impeachment court proceedings. The questioning formed part of broader investigations into the Vice President's business interests and potential overlaps with government operations under her administration and those of related officials.

The Senate impeachment court is hearing the case against Vice President Duterte, with prosecutors using the testimony and documentary evidence regarding government contracts to support their case. The line of questioning suggests investigators are examining whether public resources were directed toward private entities connected to the Vice President or her family members in positions of authority.

The proceedings highlight ongoing scrutiny of governance and potential conflicts of interest within the Duterte family's political network, which has held significant influence across multiple levels of Philippine government.