Baste Duterte declared as hostile witness by impeachment court

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The Senate impeachment court has declared Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte as a hostile witness for the impeachment trial of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte.

“The adverse interest of the witness has been established, and [as such] declared a hostile witness,” Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero said.

Private prosecutor Theodore Te earlier cited that the mayor shares the same parents with Vice President, as both are the children of former President Rodrigo Duterte and Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Likewise, Te said the mayor already “publicly prejudged the case” with statements that the impeachment seeks to prevent his sister from winning the 2028 presidential election and described the proceedings is "so-called lawful.”

READ: Who is Baste Duterte?

Finally, Te cited that the mayor only testified because he was ordered by the Senate impeachment court to do so.

Defense lawyer Justin Gular disagreed with Te by saying that a political statement does not automatically mean hostility.

Ultimately, both parties submitted to the ruling of the Senate court.

EXPLAINER: What is a hostile witness?

The mayor earlier said that GenCorp. Industries Inc., a declared business interest of his sister, secured P34 million worth of government contracts from Davao city government which are all above board.

The mayor, however, said he is unaware of his sister's business interest in GenCorp. as the Vice President's Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) in 2024 and 2025 reflected. —VAL, GMA News