Politics · Philippines Bureau
Davao Mayor May Testify on City Dealings With VP Duterte-Linked Firms
A member of the Senate prosecution panel said Wednesday that Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte could provide testimony regarding any local government transactions with companies where his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, holds shareholdings.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The prosecution team in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case indicated Wednesday that Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte represents a potential witness who could clarify municipal dealings with firms connected to the Vice President.
During a press briefing following impeachment proceedings, a prosecution counsel noted that the Davao City mayor's testimony could be material to establishing whether local government contracts or transactions involved companies where the Vice President maintains a financial stake as a listed stockholder.
The development suggests investigators are examining possible overlaps between official city business and commercial entities with ties to the Vice President. Such testimony could potentially shed light on governance practices in Davao City during periods when both siblings held significant local authority.
The Vice President's impeachment case has examined various aspects of her office's operations and financial dealings since the proceedings commenced. Prosecutors have pursued multiple investigative angles to build their case before the Senate Impeachment Court.
No timeline has been established for when such testimony might be presented, and it remains unclear whether Mayor Duterte would be compelled or voluntarily appear before the impeachment court.