Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo on Monday urged the Senate Impeachment Court to resolve discrepancies between Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) and corporate documents of GenCorp Industries, Inc.
During Day 30 of the trial, Tulfo noted that Duterte declared herself a shareholder of GenCorp in her SALNs, while Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) records submitted by the prosecution did not list her among the company’s shareholders.
“Sino nagsisinungaling?” Tulfo asked, pressing Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero to clarify the conflicting evidence.
Escudero replied that the Court could not yet rule on the matter, saying it would depend on evidence presented by both sides at the proper time.
Tulfo stressed that Duterte’s declaration under oath made her a part owner of GenCorp, which he argued violated Article VII, Section 13 of the Constitution prohibiting the Vice President from owning or participating in any business.
House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro reiterated that Duterte’s continued shareholding in GenCorp, coupled with the company’s dealings with the Davao City government led by her brother, constituted a conflict of interest.
“GenCorp should not be participating in the bidding of City of Davao, which is headed by no less than the brother of the respondent Vice President,” Luistro said, adding that while procurement law is not explicit, the arrangement falls under the constitutional prohibition.
The impeachment trial continues with the prosecution pressing its case on alleged violations of constitutional restrictions on business interests by the Vice President. ||
