VP witness raises more questions
LAWYER Suzette Balucanag-Punay, corporate counsel of GenCorp Industries Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corp., testifies on the companies’ business interests and presents relevant corporate records covering 2022 to 2025 during the 42nd day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in Pasay City on Wednesday.
Photograph by Aram Lascano for DAILY TRIBUNE
Public prosecutors said the testimony of defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay on Wednesday had strengthened their allegations against Vice President Sara Duterte, particularly over her undeclared financial interests and alleged unexplained wealth.
“I thought she was the witness of the prosecution. Obviously, it looks like she was confused with her own statements. Actually, her statements raised more questions,” Manila Rep. Joel Chua said during a briefing as the impeachment proceedings paused for lunch.
Chua pointed to what he described as conflicting statements by Balucanag-Punay, GenCorp Industries Inc.’s corporate counsel, regarding Duterte’s alleged shareholdings in the company.
He said the witness disclosed that Duterte had a “loose investment” in GenCorp and received monthly returns on capital, details that were not reflected in her financial declarations.
Chua also questioned the nature of the payments, suggesting they could constitute bribery, particularly since GenCorp had business transactions with Davao City.
“Instead of rebutting those that they wanted to rebut that were presented by the prosecution, they were buried even further,” he said.
House impeachment spokesperson Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong likewise thanked the witness, saying her testimony supported the prosecution’s claim that Duterte had a business interest in GenCorp despite the company’s records indicating otherwise.
Adiong argued that receiving financial benefits beyond her official salary while serving as vice president could constitute a violation of the constitutional prohibition against public officials having financial interests in businesses affected by their official functions.
“That’s very clear, by receiving anything other than her salary, any form of emoluments, any compensation, any financial packages... while she is serving as Vice President is a culpable violation of the Constitution,” the Lanao del Sur representative said.
Public prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon echoed the concerns, saying the defense had the burden of explaining the nature of the payments Duterte received from GenCorp.
The lead prosecutor for Article II challenged the defense to clarify whether the remittances represented legitimate investment returns or something else.
“Ladies and gentlemen, they made their bed, it’s time to lie on it,” Ridon said.
Loose investments
The prosecutors’ reactions followed Balucanag-Punay’s disclosure that Duterte had a “loose investment” in a Jollibee branch at Times Square in Davao City.
The outlet was initially supposed to be operated by Davao Bounty Times Food Corp., but the arrangement did not materialize. The witness said Duterte’s shares were subsequently carried over to Great Jolly Times, which would operate the branch.
Balucanag-Punay also testified that Duterte received P2.14 million from GenCorp between 2022 and 2025 as a “return of capital” on her shares.
The disclosures came during the cross-examination of the defense witness, as prosecutors examined discrepancies between Duterte’s financial declarations and GenCorp’s corporate records.