MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte was still listed as incorporator, board director, and 20 percent stakeholder in Davao-based Metro City Chowfoods Corp. well into her term as vice president, an official of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) testified on Monday.
SEC Registration and Monitoring Department Director Gerardo del Rosario told the Senate impeachment court that Duterte was an incorporator of Metro City Chowfoods Corp. in 2016, with a P50,000 subscription and a 20 percent stake through 2025.
Del Rosario also confirmed that Duterte was a member of its board of directors and simultaneously served on its compensation committee from 2018 to 2021.
Most notably, Duterte held the two positions from 2022 to 2025 during her term as vice president, the records showed.
Duterte assumed office as vice president in 2022.
During direct examination, Prosecution counsel Erwin Matib asked Del Rosario if a vice president is allowed to be a board member of a company.
Defense counsel Justin Gular objected to the question, arguing it called for the opinion of the SEC witness whom he described as "incompetent" to address such an inquiry.
But Senate Presiding Officer Francis Escudero overruled the objection and said he was also "interested" to know whether the regulatory agency had flagged Duterte's positions in the firm.
Del Rosario cited a provision in the 1987 Constitution which bars the president, vice president and members of the Cabinet from holding any other positions and from having business interests to avoid conflict of interest while in office.
