Baste Duterte faces contempt possibility, but not immediately – Gatchalian

Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte could face contempt charges if he fails to appear at the impeachment trial of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte. However, Senate President Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian clarified that the decision would depend on the reason for his absence. "We have contempt powers. So if he does not come, we will see what his reason is. We have to listen, we have to… we will see if his reasons are valid. We will see if he has a valid reason. So we will listen first. We will not hold him in contempt immediately," Gatchalian said in an ambush interview on Thursday. Gatchalian stated that he has yet to receive confirmation regarding Mayor Duterte's appearance. Regarding security arrangements should the mayor attend, the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms has already established security and monitoring for the entire impeachment trial. Beyond appearing to testify, the impeachment court has also ordered Mayor Duterte to bring certified true copies of relevant official records from the Davao City Government from 2020 to the present. This includes contracts with GenCorp Industries Inc., a business declared by the Vice President in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, and any entity that owns or operates a Jollibee branch or establishment. In a previous statement, Mayor Duterte claimed he was unaware of his sister's links to GenCorp Industries Inc. Information Source: GMA News Philippines