Mayor Baste Duterte defends Davao City, says he would have been informed of irregularities

Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte testified Tuesday that any irregularities in city government contracts—including those awarded to GenCorp Industries Inc.—would have reached his desk, even as he admitted he did not review every deal individually.

Taking the witness stand on Day 31 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, Mayor Duterte confirmed under direct examination by private prosecutor Theodore “Ted” Te that he had authorized Assistant City Administrator Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo to sign contracts on his behalf.

While clarifying that he was not personally aware of every document signed by Domingo, Mayor Duterte maintained that oversight mechanisms were in place.

“If it comes to my table, yes I would be aware. If there is an irregularity, I would be aware of it,” Duterte said. He acknowledged, however, that ultimate accountability for the signed agreements still rests with him as city mayor.

Prior to testifying, Mayor Duterte told reporters that GenCorp had secured more than ₱34 million in contracts with the Davao City government through standard, lawful procedures. He added that he was unaware at the time that his sister held an ownership interest in the firm.

Vice President Duterte disclosed business interests in GenCorp Industries Inc. in her 2024 and 2025 Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs). However, her name does not appear on the list of shareholders in GenCorp’s corporate filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).