Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has been ordered to appear before the Senate impeachment court next week as prosecutors seek his testimony in connection with allegations involving Vice President Sara Duterte’s wealth.
Presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero issued the subpoena on Wednesday, directing the mayor to attend the Sept. 23 proceedings and answer questions related to Article 2 of the impeachment complaint.
Among the matters expected to be examined are transactions between the Davao City government and Gencorp Industries, a company identified as one of Sara Duterte’s declared business interests. The court also directed the mayor to submit government documents and contracts covering transactions from 2020 onward involving City Hall and companies that own or operate Jollibee branches.
House prosecution spokesperson Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the mayor was included in the witness list because of his possible knowledge of matters being presented under Article 2.
“He is being called because he may have relevant personal and official knowledge concerning matters that form part of the prosecution’s Article 2 presentation,” Adiong said during a briefing.
Gencorp became part of the impeachment proceedings after the Vice President disclosed her interest in the company in her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs).
Reports cited by the prosecution said the company obtained catering-related contracts from the Davao City government while Baste Duterte was mayor. The transactions reportedly amounted to P14.32 million between 2022 and 2025.
The prosecution has also been presenting evidence concerning Sara Duterte’s declared wealth. On Tuesday, witness Batu presented the Vice President’s SALNs, highlighting changes in her reported net worth over the years.
Records presented to the court showed that Duterte declared P7.2 million in net worth when she entered government as Davao City vice mayor in 2007. The amount increased to P18.4 million the following year and stood at P98.6 million in 2025.
Prosecutors are citing the SALNs as part of their allegations that Duterte did not completely and accurately disclose the assets, liabilities and net worth of herself and her husband, Manases Carpio.
Another witness, Cabotaje-Tang, told the court on Monday that constitutional restrictions prevent the President and Vice President from directly or indirectly engaging in business while holding office. She also discussed provisions of anti-corruption laws concerning unexplained wealth and its possible consequences for public officials.
The prosecution said her testimony was intended to provide context for financial, banking and government documents that would later be presented to the impeachment court.
Aside from Baste Duterte, the Senate court has summoned several other witnesses, including Civil Service Commission Assistant Commissioner Ariel Ronquillo, Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) Division Chief Rendell Sopeña, lawyer Gary Samonte and Police Maj. Jerrickson Sangalang.
A separate subpoena had previously been issued to Securities and Exchange Commission official Gerardo del Rosario, so the court determined that another issuance was unnecessary.
