Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte said during the 31st day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial that he had presumed GenCorp Industries Inc. had complied with the requirements imposed by the Davao City government.
The statement came during the direct examination by House private prosecutor Theodore “Ted” Te, who questioned Baste about his claimed “rigorous” evaluation of GenCorp and whether he had personally determined that the company met the city’s requirements.
Te asked Baste if, during his evaluation, he was able to establish whether GenCorp had complied with a specific requirement imposed by the city.
“I do not know that as of now. We can check our records in the city,” Baste replied.
Te then asked whether Baste personally knew if GenCorp had been in existence for at least five years, as required for the transaction being discussed.
“I do not know,” Baste said.
When Te followed up whether Baste had checked the matter as part of his evaluation of GenCorp, the mayor said he had presumed the company had complied.
“It is presumed that GenCorp has complied,” Baste said.
Te then reiterated the mayor’s statement before the impeachment court.
“According to you, sir, it is presumed that GenCorp has complied,” Te said.
“Yes,” Baste confirmed.
Te subsequently questioned whether that presumption formed part of the “rigorous evaluation” Baste had earlier described.
Defense counsel Justin Gular objected, calling the question argumentative.
Te defended his line of questioning, saying he was merely referring to Baste’s own statement during the testimony.
“I’m simply using the witness’s own statement, Your Honor,” Te said.
Presiding Officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero then directed Te to move on with his questioning.
The exchange formed part of the prosecution’s examination of Baste over Davao City government transactions involving GenCorp, a company linked to allegations being raised in Article II of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
