Sara Duterte remained company director even after assuming VP post -- witness

Vice President Sara Duterte remained one of the Board of Directors of Metro City Chow Foods Corporation until 2025, even after she was elected and assumed office as Vice President in 2022, a witness from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) testified on Monday. SEC Company Registration and Monitoring Department Director Gerardo Fernando del Rosario said during Day 27 of the impeachment trial of Duterte that the Vice President’s position in the said firm was reflected on Metro City Chow Foods Corporation’s submissions to the SEC. The General Information Sheet (GIS) from 2022 to 2024 showed VP Sara Duterte as a member of the Board of Directors, and the GIS for 2025 also indicated her continued directorship. Del Rosario explained that the board of directors holds authority over a corporation's business and property, and is responsible to shareholders and government agencies. He added that a firm cannot conduct business without its board. The 1987 Constitution prohibits the Vice President from participating in any business while in office, as provided under Article 7, Section 13. Furthermore, during the same hearing, Del Rosario confirmed that for GenCorp Industries Inc. (GenCorp), one of the business interests declared by Vice President Duterte in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), SEC records did not list her as an incorporator or director. Despite declaring involvement with GenCorp in her 2023, 2024, and 2025 SALNs, her name did not appear in the company's GIS or audited financial statements. When questioned by Senator Joel Villanueva and Senator Judge Sherwin Gatchalian about possible scenarios explaining this discrepancy, Del Rosario suggested that VP Duterte might have control over GenCorp by being the owner of its largest subscriber, JTC Group of Companies, which holds 55% of the company's equity. He noted that JTC Group is represented by a certain Jaime T. Cruz. Source: GMA News Philippines