September 22, 2026 (Day 28)
Day 28 continued the examination of Article II, beginning with the defense team's cross-examination of SEC Director Gerardo del Rosario before moving to testimony on government procurement records. The prosecution presented Rendell Sopeña, an official from the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), to detail contracts awarded to corporate entities tied to the Vice President. Sopeña’s testimony revealed that Gencorp Industries Inc., a firm in which Duterte declared herself as an incorporator and shareholder since 2013, was awarded over ₱34.2 million in government contracts by the Davao City local government during her tenure as Vice President. PhilGEPS records further indicated that Gencorp secured smaller contracts with PhilHealth-Davao Region and the regional Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
Lead prosecutor Representative Gerville Luistro moved for the court to take mandatory judicial notice of the Vice President's own SALNs—which list her shareholder status in Gencorp—and the fact that her brother, Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, serves as the head of the procuring entity in Davao City. Luistro cited constitutional bans against executive officials having financial interests in government contracts, alongside procurement laws giving local chief executives authority over contract approvals. Presiding Officer Escudero granted judicial notice of the statutory provisions cited, but specified that the court took no position on the prosecution's interpretation or application of those laws until further evidence is presented.
Off the witness stand, discussion turned to a public statement issued by Mayor Sebastian Duterte, who confirmed that Davao City had awarded deals to Gencorp but maintained that the contracts were above board and executed without knowledge of his sister's stake. House prosecution spokespersons labeled the Mayor's public admission a crucial disclosure in their unexplained wealth case, as the court prepared to issue subpoenas for him to testify in subsequent sessions.
