VP Sara Duterte didn't participate in Metro City Chow's transactions -- witness

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Vice President Sara Duterte has no participation in the transactions of Metro City Chow Foods Corporation from 2022 to 2025 despite being listed as a director and member of the company’s compensation committee, a defense witness said Wednesday.

Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay, in-house counsel for Gencorp Industries, Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corporation, said this on the 42nd day of the impeachment trial during her direct examination by defense counsel Justin Gular.

According to the witness, the Vice President is one of the incorporators of Metro City Chow, which operates a fast food chain branch based in Davao City.

Citing General Information Sheets from 2022 to 2025, she also confirmed that Duterte is a member of the Board of Directors and a member of the compensation committee of Metro City Chow.

She also noted that Duterte has a 20% shareholdings in the corporation equivalent to a subscribed capital of P50,000 and paid up capital of P12,500.

Gular then asked the witness of the possible involvement of the Vice President in the business, meetings, or transactions of the Board of Directors of Metro City Chow from 2022 to 2025.

“She did not participate…I have not seen her in the meetings, either Board meetings or even company parties, even in the store, in the branch,” Punay said.

The witness also claimed that Duterte does not participate in the decision making process, the operational management, nor in the administration of the properties of the company.

“What is her participation or involvement in the finances of that corporation, in its transactions, banking, etc,. if any?” Gular asked.

“She has no participation, sir,” Punay answered.

Asked by the defense counsel how the witness knew, she explained, “Because I have attended meetings, I have attended board meetings also and she is not there.”

Punay also expressed belief that Duterte does not receive any compensation or honorarium while being member of the compensation committee of Metro City Chow.

The defense is currently presenting evidence and witnesses for Article II of the impeachment case against Duterte alleging her unexplained wealth due to supposed failure to truthfully disclose assets in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), and failure to divest in businesses as required for the President and Vice President under a Constitutional provision. — RSJ, GMA News