Pasay City, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte took the witness stand Tuesday on Day 31 of his sister Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, where he was declared a hostile witness after prosecutors established his adverse interest, allowing them to ask leading questions.
Duterte testified he only learned of GenCorp Industries Inc.’s existence when the company came up during his sister’s trial, as prosecutors pressed him on Article II of the impeachment articles, which alleges the Vice President has unexplained wealth and undisclosed business interests.
Presiding Officer Francis Escudero also denied a prosecution request to have the Vice President admit to over 100 separate factual matters, while separately ruling that Wednesday’s scheduled hearing would be canceled, with proceedings to resume Thursday. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who attended Tuesday’s session, said he hopes to be called as a witness following Duterte’s testimony. Protesters also gathered outside the Senate in Pasay City as the trial continued. Read More