Senator-Judge Bam Aquino sought clarification Tuesday on Vice President Sara Duterte’s connection to Gencorp Industries Inc., questioning what specific interest she held in the company after it appeared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
Aquino raised the issue during the 28th day of Duterte’s impeachment trial as Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Company Registration and Monitoring Department Director Gerardo del Rosario faced further questioning.
According to Aquino, the SEC witness could not establish the precise nature of Duterte’s involvement with Gencorp based on the records presented. He pointed out that the information available to the impeachment court came from Duterte’s own SALN declaration.
“Hindi talaga ito malalaman ng ating witness. Ang alam lang natin, si VP Sara mismo ‘yung naglagay ng kompanyang Gencorp sa kanyang SALN. Ano nga ba ang kanyang role sa Gencorp?” Aquino said.
He further explained that Duterte’s inclusion of Gencorp in her SALN indicated that she had an interest in the company, but the exact character of that interest remained unclear.
“Meaning, ang VP mismo ang naglagay ng kumpanya sa kanyang SALN kaya natin nalamang mayroon siyang interest. Pero hindi natin alam kung ano ‘yung mismong interest na ‘yun,” Aquino added.
Private prosecutor Atty. Erwin Matib pointed to the notation accompanying Gencorp in the SALN, saying, “Nilagay po sa SALN na SH, we supposed that’s stockholder.”
The issue is significant because the prosecution has presented evidence concerning Duterte’s alleged business interests and disclosures while serving as vice president.
Duterte’s defense has challenged the prosecution’s handling of corporate records involving companies connected to the allegations, including documents presented through Del Rosario.
Del Rosario, who heads the SEC’s Company Registration and Monitoring Department, has been testifying about corporate records relevant to the impeachment allegations.
The SEC official also testified that Article 7, Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution prohibits the president, vice president, Cabinet members and their deputies from holding business interests while in office.
