MANILA, Philippines — Impeachment prosecutors at the House of Representatives are expected to press their argument that Vice President Sara Duterte’s continued role as a corporate director while in office violated constitutional restrictions on business activities when her trial resumes next week.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, prosecution spokesman, said Saturday that Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) records showing Duterte remained a director and stockholder of Metro City Chow Foods Corp. during her vice presidency supported their position.
“Even without getting into details, that alone is a violation of the Constitution,” Adiong said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
Duterte assumed the vice presidency on June 30, 2022. SEC records presented during the trial showed she remained listed as a stockholder and board member of Metro City Chow Foods from 2022 through 2025, with a 20 percent stake in the company.
Adiong said the prosecution’s concern went beyond Duterte’s ownership of shares because she was also listed as a director.
“She is not a mere passive shareholder. She is also one of the directors of one of the companies that she declared in her SALN (Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Networth),” he said.
Article VII, Section 13 of the Constitution bars the president, vice president and Cabinet members from directly or indirectly participating in business during their tenure and requires them to avoid conflicts of interest.
Adiong said the prosecution believed the evidence could support a finding that Duterte betrayed public trust, but stressed that the Senate Impeachment Court would make the final determination.
“On that basis alone, I think she has already betrayed [public trust]. But then again, we don’t want to preempt,” he said.
The prosecution is also set to present seven witnesses next week in connection with Article II, including former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte.
Trillanes is expected to testify on Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth and receipt or acquisition of funds from persons or sources identified in evidence before the court.
