Baste Duterte to be held in contempt? Not right away -- Win Gatchalian

Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.

While Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte can be held in contempt if he fails to show up at the impeachment trial of his sister Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian said Thursday it would depend on the reason for his absence.

The mayor was subpoenaed after GenCorp Industries Inc.— a business declared by the Vice President in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth — was able to secure contracts amounting to P30 million with the Davao City government.

“May contempt powers kami. So kung hindi siya dadating, tingnan muna natin kung anong dahilan. We have to listen, we have to... Tingnan natin kung valid ba ‘yung kanilang dahilan. Tingnan natin kung mayroon ba talagang valid reason. So, papakinggan muna natin. Hindi naman kaagad iko-contempt,” Gatchalian said in an ambush interview.

(We have contempt powers. So if he does not come, we will see what his reason is. We have to listen, we have to… we will see if his reasons are valid. We will see if he has a valid reason. So we will listen first. We will not hold him in contempt immediately.)

Gatchalian said he has yet to receive word if Baste will appear before the proceedings.

When it comes to security should the mayor appear, Gatchalian said the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms has already maintained security and monitoring for the entire impeachment trial.

Other than appearing at the Senate, the impeachment court also ordered Baste to bring certified true copies of relevant official records from the Davao City Government from 2020 to the present, including contracts with GenCorp Industries, Inc., and any entity that owns or operates a Jollibee branch or establishment.

The mayor said in a previous statement that he was unaware of his sister’s links to Gencorp Industries, Inc. —RF, GMA News