Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte will be questioned by House prosecutors on Tuesday and Wednesday about his city government’s contracts with a company his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, listed among her business interests.
Impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero approved the mayor’s request to take the witness stand on September 29 and 30. The subpoena received by his office had ordered him to appear on September 28, 29, and 30, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Senate in Pasay City.
The Manila Times reported that as of Monday morning, the Senate had yet to receive confirmation of his arrival or any coordination from his camp. Once he arrives, he is to stay in the Laurel Room, where witnesses in the trial are kept.
His testimony falls under Article II of the impeachment complaint, which accuses the Vice President of accumulating unexplained wealth. Prosecutors allege that she did not fully disclose her and her husband’s assets, liabilities and net worth, and that she kept her business interests from 2022 to 2025 instead of divesting after assuming the vice presidency.
The prosecution’s focus is Gencorp Industries Inc. Beyond testifying, the mayor must turn over certified true copies of Davao City records, along with electronic copies on three USB flash drives, covering all contracts and transactions since 2020 with Gencorp and with any company that owns or runs a Jollibee branch.
The mayor has already defended the city’s dealings with the firm. In a statement, he said the contracts were above board and documented under government procurement rules, and that Gencorp won 19 contracts totaling P33,263,161 from the city since 2022. He also said neither his sister’s name nor the Duterte surname appeared in any company document submitted to City Hall.
House prosecution spokesperson Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong has said the mayor was not called merely because he is the Vice President’s brother, but because his testimony bears directly on Gencorp’s business with Davao City. Citing their close relationship, Adiong said prosecutors may ask the court to treat him as a hostile witness, which would permit leading questions.
The defense has distanced itself from his appearance. Deputy spokesperson Justin Nicole Gular said the Vice President’s lawyers found out about the subpoena only after prosecutors filed their manifestation, and that they would not help prepare him. “We haven’t been in touch with him, to be honest,” Gular said.
