The Senate impeachment court resumes discussions on Article II of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, September 22.
The article focuses on allegations involving “Unexplained Wealth, False SALNs, and Continued Business Interests.”
The Defense is expected to conduct its cross-examination of Prosecution witness Gerardo del Rosario, director of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Company Registration and Monitoring Department.
Following Del Rosario’s testimony, the Prosecution is expected to present Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) chief Rendell Sopeña as its next witness.
Impeachment trial begins
The 28th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial began. Seventeen senators serving as senator-judges attended the continuation of the proceedings.
The Senate impeachment court observed a minute of silent prayer before the trial proceeded.
Defense begins cross-examination of SEC witness
Defense counsel Atty. Justin Nicol Gular has begun the cross-examination of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) official Atty. Gerardo Del Rosario.
‘The SEC merely relied on information provided by the House?’
Gular asked whether the SEC had personal knowledge that the corporations it reviewed were declared in Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), to which Del Rosario replied, “Hindi po namin alam.”
Gular then asked if the SEC merely relied on information provided by the House of Representatives, prompting an objection from the prosecution.
SEC official says corporations are not automatically required to declare dividends
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lawyer Gerardo Del Rosario confirmed that corporations are not automatically required to declare dividends even if they have unrestricted retained earnings.
He explained that Section 42 of the Revised Corporation Code uses the word “may” in relation to the declaration of dividends.
SEC has no records on Duterte, Carpio’s income
Securities and Exchange Commission lawyer Gerardo Del Rosario confirmed that the SEC has no information or records on the income earned by Vice President Sara Duterte during her years as a private individual and professional.
He also confirmed that the agency has no records of income derived by Atty. Manases Carpio from his years of legal practice.
“Wala po kaming ganung information,” Del Rosario told defense lawyer Justin Nicol Gular during the impeachment trial on Tuesday.
SEC official clarifies trust agreement claim was only speculation
SEC lawyer Gerardo Del Rosario clarified that his earlier suggestion about a possible trust agreement involving GenCorp Industries Inc. was only his “kuro-kuro” and was not based on information from the SEC.
Del Rosario said he has no personal knowledge of any trust agreement involving Vice President Sara Duterte or the registered shareholders of the corporation.
‘The Vice President was never a corporate secretary’
Securities and Exchange Commission lawyer Gerardo Del Rosario confirmed that Vice President Sara Duterte was never listed as a corporate secretary in the General Information Sheets (GIS) identified during the impeachment trial.
Del Rosario said the statutory obligation in question is imposed on the corporation’s corporate secretary, not its stockholders, directors, or officers.
He also confirmed that the GIS documents presented were not sworn to by Duterte herself.
Duterte’s name does not appear in GenCorp records, SEC says
House private prosecutor Atty. Erwin Matib asked SEC lawyer Gerardo Del Rosario whether the information on Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged interest in GenCorp Industries Inc. was confidential.
Del Rosario said Duterte’s name does not appear in GenCorp’s records, from its incorporation through the company’s subsequent filings.
‘He should move on to his next point’
Private prosecutor Erwin Matib objected to defense lawyer Justin Nicol Gular’s line of questioning during the cross-examination of SEC lawyer Gerardo Del Rosario on Tuesday.
Matib argued that Gular’s questions about the legal definition of “conflict of interest” under Republic Act 6713 were irrelevant and beyond the scope of Del Rosario’s direct examination.
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero overruled the objection, allowing Del Rosario, who is also a lawyer, to answer if he knew the matter.
Jaime T. Cruz linked to PhilHealth chairmanship and China envoy post
Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo asked whether Jaime T. Cruz, whose name appeared in several corporate records, was the same person previously offered by former President Rodrigo Duterte the chairmanship of PhilHealth.
House private prosecutor Atty. Erwin Matib confirmed that the Jaime T. Cruz in the records was also the same person appointed as special envoy to China for trade and investment.
‘Trial is on recess’
The 28th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial was temporarily suspended for a lunch break on Tuesday, September 22.
The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to resume the proceedings at 1:15 p.m.
PhilGEPS chief takes oath as prosecution witness
Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) Division Chief Rendell Sopeña has taken his oath as the latest prosecution witness.
Sopeña is expected to testify as the Senate impeachment court continues its proceedings on Article II of the Articles of Impeachment.
‘49 awarded contracts’
PhilGEPS Division Chief Rendell Sopeña revealed that GenCorp Industries Inc. recorded 49 awarded contracts in the agency’s procurement database.
Sopeña said one contract was awarded by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), 33 by PhilHealth Region 11, and 15 by the Davao City Government.
‘Ito po ba yung Jollibee na alam nating lahat?’
House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro asked PhilGEPS Division Chief Rendell Sopeña whether Jollibee Bolton Corporation, named in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), was the same Jollibee brand widely known to the public.
Sopeña replied that he was not familiar with the company.
‘Can you skip the description of the ketchup and the meals and the snacks?’
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero asked prosecutors to skip the detailed reading of menu items, including ketchup, meals, and snacks, as procurement documents involving GenCorp Industries Inc. were presented during the impeachment trial.
House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro said they would present only selected documents to help the public and senator-judges understand the procurement records being discussed in the proceedings.
Trial adjourned
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero suspended the 28th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday, September 22.
The proceedings will resume on Wednesday, September 23, at 10 a.m. for oral arguments on the conviction threshold.
