Baste Duterte claims no direct hand in Gencorp deals with Davao City

'Do you really believe that a head of procuring entity has no knowledge on the companies that bag government contracts with them?' prosecution spokesman Zia Alonto Adiong asks MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte distanced himself from his city government’s deals with Gencorp during his testimony at Vice President Sara Duterte‘s impeachment trial on Tuesday, September 29. He consistently maintained that he had no direct hand in the contracts sealed with the company linked to the Vice President, his older sister — a claim the prosecution found hard to believe. Taking the witness stand on the 31st day of Sara s trial on Tuesday, the younger Duterte said he first heard about Gencorp when it was mentioned in open court more than a week ago. The Vice President’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) show she is a stockholder of Gencorp, which has bagged at least P33 million in projects with Davao City Hall since 2022, when she was elected as the country’s second highest official, and when her brother succeeded her as Davao City mayor. Baste claimed he did not personally review Gencorp’s contracts, and did not personally approve such deals because he did not interfere in the undertakings of city hall’s bids and awards committee (BAC). He said he delegated his procurement responsibilities to Davao City Assistant City Administrator Tristan Domingo because of his workload as mayor. “You’re aware, Mr. Mayor, that delegating your signing authority to Mr. Domingo does not delegate your accountability as the head of procuring entity (HOPE)? You are still the final accountable officer,” private prosecutor Ted Te told the local chief executive during the direct examination. “Yes,” the hostile witness answered. ‘Difficult to believe’ Spokespersons for the prosecution panel aren’t buying the mayor’s effort to disassociate himself from the Gencorp deals. “We find it difficult to believe Mayor Baste’s statement that he sees no irregularities in the way the deals are handled,” prosecution spokeswoman Renee Co said in FIlipino. “Do you really believe that a head of procuring entity has no knowledge on the companies that bag government contracts with them?” prosecution spokesman Zia Alonto Adiong added. Adiong pointed out that Mayor Baste and Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte are also business partners of Jaime T. Cruz through Chinese Gen Bee Food Corporation. Cruz’s name has been repeatedly listed in corporate filings of several companies linked to the Vice President. Sara’s ties to Gencorp and its contacts with Davao City Hall raise numerous questions on conflict of interest, and apparent violation of the constitutional provision that bars the Vice President from having business interests. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading