Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte delivers a speech, June 27, 2022. Simeon Celi, Presidential Photo/File
MANILA (UPDATE) — Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte is among those expected to be summoned by the Senate impeachment court to testify in the trial of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte.
Duterte's name was among those mentioned Wednesday by presiding officer Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero as set to receive a subpoena ad testificandum et duces tecum for next week's proceedings.
He is tentatively scheduled to appear before the impeachment court on Sept. 23, although the date may still change as other witnesses are set to testify ahead of him.
The Senate is also scheduled to hear oral arguments next Wednesday from the prosecution and defense on whether to adjust the threshold for conviction, after which the senator-judges are expected to vote on the matter.
"In regard to Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Atty. Gary Samonte, and Police Maj. Jericson Sangalang, let the subpoena be issued only for Sept. 23," Escudero said.
"However, on Sept. 22, depending on where we are with respect to the three witnesses, we shall announce if we will be withdrawing that subpoena and simply issue a new one for the following week or the week thereafter so as not to waste their time given that they are all officials performing duties in connection with their functions," he added.
Also expected to testify in the coming week are Securities and Exchange Commission Company Registration and Monitoring Department Director Gerardo del Rosario, Civil Service Commission Assistant Commissioner Ariel Ronquillo, and Rendell Sopeña of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System under the Department of Budget and Management.
The Senate impeachment court is currently hearing allegations that Sara Duterte amassed unexplained wealth.
In a press briefing, prosecutor Jay Tolosa said the mayor would be asked to testify in connection with GenCorp Industries Inc., one of the companies listed in Sara's Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) in which she has declared business interests.
READ: Business interests declared in Duterte SALNs tackled at Senate impeachment trial
"We remember that in the SALNs of the vice president, may na-mention doon, mayroon siya naka-indicate doon sa mga companies na mayroon siyang financial interest," Tolosa said, referring to GenCorp.
"Gusto natin malaman dito, in his (Sebastian) capacity as mayor of Davao, kung nagkaroon pa ng any dealings itong company na ito with the city government of Davao," he explained.
Tolosa also said it would be up to the impeachment court if it would consider Duterte as a hostile witness.
The court had earlier taken up accusations that Sara made grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family, and misused or misappropriated confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
Allegations that she bribed government officials have yet to be tackled by the impeachment court.
Sara and her camp have denied the accusations.