MANILA, Philippines – Lawyer Suzette Balucanag-Punay, corporate counsel for GenCorp Industries, Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corp., took the witness stand in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday.
The two companies are among the business interests being scrutinized in connection with Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and allegations of unexplained wealth.
Balucanag-Punay was initially scheduled to take the witness stand earlier, but her testimony was postponed due to an MRI appointment last Monday.
The defense intends to question Balucanag-Punay about the companies’ corporate records, Duterte’s business interests, her declared assets, and other financial documents relevant to the allegations.
During the prosecution’s presentation of evidence, it submitted records from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) indicating that Duterte retained business interests in Metro City Chow after assuming office in 2022.
Prosecutors argued that these business interests violated constitutional restrictions prohibiting public officials from holding financial interests in businesses that could create conflicts of interest.
The corporate records of GenCorp and Metro City Chow are expected to provide further details on Duterte’s reported business interests and their connection to the issues raised in the impeachment proceedings.
Balucanag-Punay is among the 24 witnesses listed by the defense as the trial resumes following a break of more than three weeks.
