Politics · Philippines Bureau
Duterte: Would Have Rejected Gencorp Deal Had I Known of Sara's Stake
Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte testified Tuesday that he would not have approved a contract with food company Gencorp Industries had he been aware of Vice President Sara Duterte's business interests in the firm. The statement came during the vice president's impeachment trial.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte said on Tuesday that a municipal contract with Gencorp Industries Incorporated would not have proceeded had he known his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, held business interests in the company.
Duterte made the statement while testifying before the impeachment court, where he serves as a witness in proceedings against the vice president. The revelation addresses potential conflicts of interest surrounding government contracts awarded to the food company by Davao City during his administration.
The mayor's testimony underscores the central issue in the impeachment trial: whether the vice president's undisclosed business relationships influenced municipal decisions and created improper financial arrangements. Gencorp Industries has been identified as a major contractor for the city government.
The case forms part of broader scrutiny into the financial dealings and potential conflicts of interest involving the vice president's family members in their respective official capacities. Duterte's acknowledgment that prior knowledge would have changed his decision signals the significance of transparency in government procurement processes.