Sara Duterte trial recap, Sept. 29: Baste Duterte on the stand
Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte testified in his sister Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial regarding city contracts awarded to a firm listed in her assets. He stated he had no personal knowledge of the contracts and that the city's bidding committee handled the process.
Why it matters
The trial addresses potential corruption and conflict of interest allegations involving high-ranking political figures in the Philippines.
MANILA, Philippines - Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte testified at the impeachment trial of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, on Tuesday, September 29, saying he had no direct knowledge of the city's 19 contracts with a firm declared as a business interest in her SALN.
The direct and cross-examination of the vice president's brother came down to one main question on GenCorp Industries Inc.: Was there a conflict of interest when the Davao City government awarded it contracts, all while his sister was vice president?
On that question, the mayor repeatedly told the court he could only answer based on the record, as he had not personally reviewed contracts with the firm. Baste said it was the city's bids and awards committee that evaluated GenCorp and that an aide signed the contracts under delegated authority.
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