Politics · Philippines Bureau
Duterte's 2023 Davao payment was salary differential, court hears
A defense witness testified that Vice President Sara Duterte's P64,000 compensation from Davao City in 2023 represented unpaid salary from her mayoral tenure, not payment for additional services.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — A court heard testimony Tuesday that Vice President Sara Duterte's more than P64,000 in compensation received from the Davao City government in 2023 constituted a salary differential rather than payment for concurrent services.
The defense witness clarified during proceedings that the funds were related to Duterte's tenure as Davao City mayor between 2020 and 2021, addressing questions about the nature of the payment.
The testimony appears aimed at refuting allegations that Duterte received improper compensation for services rendered after she had already left the mayoral position to assume higher office. The witness's account characterizes the payment as an administrative settlement of outstanding salary obligations rather than compensation for work performed.
The case continues to scrutinize Duterte's financial arrangements with the local government during and after her time as mayor of the southern Philippine city.