MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte took the witness stand on Tuesday, Sept. 29, during the continuation of the impeachment trial of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte.

During the proceedings, the Senate impeachment court declared Mayor Duterte a hostile witness following direct questioning by prosecution counsel regarding private entities and city procurement contracts. Duterte testified that he had no personal knowledge of GenCorp prior to the trial but acknowledged that one of its major stockholders is a personal business partner and long-time family friend.

Meanwhile, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV was present in the gallery and expressed his readiness to testify for the prosecution regarding bank records and financial allegations, even without a formal subpoena. Senate President Francis Escudero noted that while the court declined to issue a subpoena for Trillanes at this stage, the prosecution remains free to call him as a voluntary witness.