SEC Witness: No Record of Sara Duterte Divesting Business Interests

A Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) official testified before the Senate impeachment court on Monday that no documents have been submitted to the commission showing that Vice President Sara Duterte transferred ownership of businesses linked to her to other people. This marks a new focus on allegations surrounding the Vice President's business dealings. On the 27th day of the impeachment trial, the prosecution team presented SEC company registration and related documents as evidence. According to the testimony, no records indicating a transfer of ownership regarding the Vice President's business connections have been confirmed. This testimony comes amid growing calls for transparency regarding the Vice President's political and economic standing. In the Philippines, the business involvement of public officials is always scrutinized closely due to concerns about conflicts of interest. Particularly for someone in a key national position like the Vice President, their business activities are a matter of public interest. This issue underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in Philippine politics. Moving forward, the prosecution may present further evidence regarding the Vice President's business involvement based on this testimony. Meanwhile, the Vice President's camp is expected to prepare a rebuttal to this testimony. The outcome of this impeachment trial will not only affect the political landscape of the Philippines but also serve as a crucial indicator of the transparency of the Philippine business environment for domestic and international investors and business stakeholders.