MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives’ prosecution panel is bracing for “another exciting” trial as it resumes with its presentation of witnesses in the impeachment hearing of Vice President Sara Duterte next week.
Topping the list is Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte who was subpoenaed, along with two others, to testify on the article concerning the vice president’s alleged unexplained wealth.
House prosecutors are expected to question him about all deals entered into by city hall with GenCorp Industries Inc., a company allegedly co-owned by his sister.
“Next week, the prosecution will present many more witnesses. Included among those we are subpoenaing is the mayor of Davao City—the sibling of our Vice President—Mayor Baste Duterte,” former Surigao del Norte congressman and prosecution adviser Robert Ace Barbers said in Filipino at a press conference last Wednesday.
The younger Duterte’s appearance, although still unconfirmed, would push the prosecution’s task of constructing a “house of evidence,” Barbers further stated.
"We are gradually putting the puzzle together to complete the picture," he said.
Day 29 of the trial on Monday, Sept. 28, will be the resumption of the direct examination of Rendell Sopeña, Division Chief of PhilGEPS’ Information Security Division, who testified on procurement records involving GenCorp and Davao City Hall.
Prosecutors raised a possible constitutional violation and conflict of interest after records showed GenCorp secured P35.9 million in government contracts after Duterte was elected vice president.
The prosecution’s proposed witnesses also include representatives connected with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s Davao regional office and the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office.
“There are still a lot of witnesses that the prosecution will present,” Barbers said.
“Next week would be another exciting week,” he added.
