Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte was grilled on Tuesday over the city government’s deals with GenCorp Industries Inc that his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, declared in her statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth.
Baste Duterte was declared a hostile witness by the Senate impeachment court trying the case of the vice president.
In his direct examination of the witness, public prosecutor Theodore Te zeroed in on the mayor’s public statement on September 21 that GenCorp ‘was rigorously evaluated and determined to have submitted the lowest calculated responsive bid or offer.’
Baste Duterte confirmed making the statement when asked by the prosecutor.
Te next showed the impeachment court a request for quotation by Davao City for the second quarter of 2024 which contained an item under ‘Line of Business,’ saying that ‘the supplier must have a certificate issued by the CMO through the head of business bureau indicating that the line of business has been operational for at least five years in the market and shall be submitted as part of the eligibility documents.’
Still responding to the prosecutor’s query, the mayor confirmed that the 5-year period was a requirement imposed by the local government to interested bidders.
‘So, I’ll go back to your statement, sir. You said that you had rigorously evaluated GenCorp Industries Incorporated. So, in that evaluation, sir, were you able to determine if GenCorp indeed complied with this particular requirement imposed by the City of Davao?’ Te then asked.
‘I do not know that as of now. We can check our records in the city,’ the hostile witness said.
When Te pressed further whether he had personal knowledge that GenCorp has been in existence for at least five years, Baste Duterte answered: I do not know. It is presumed that GenCorp has complied.’
Te thanked the witness for volunteering the statement that ‘it is presumed that GenCorp has complied’ with the requirement.
(And so, when you say that, sir, that’s not part of the rigorous evaluation that you made for GenCorp?’ the prosecutor pointed out.
At this point, defense lawyer Justin Nicol Gular interjected, saying the question was argumentative.
‘Your Honor, I’m simply using the witness’ own statement, Your Honor,’ the prosecutor said.
Baste Duterte also maintained that GenCorp had 19 contracts with Davao City, contrary to the 15 deals recorded by the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS.)
Testifying for the prosecution on Monday, PhilGEPS Electronic Government Procurement Operations Division chief Rendell Sopeña said GenCorp had 15 deals worth P34. 216 million with Davao City, but only four went through public bidding.