DAVAO City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte admitted Tuesday that he remains the final accountable officer for city government procurement despite delegating authority to another official to sign contracts on his behalf.
Testifying as a hostile witness in the impeachment trial of his sister, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, Mayor Duterte acknowledged his responsibilities as Davao City’s head of the procuring entity, or HOPE, as House prosecutors scrutinized millions of pesos in contracts awarded to Gencorp Industries Inc.
Private prosecutor Atty. Theodore T. Te established that Duterte, as HOPE, has authority over key stages of procurement, including approving the Annual Procurement Plan, designating members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) and approving contract awards.
Duterte confirmed that he authorized Assistant City Administrator for Administration Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo to sign contracts on his behalf.
“Yes. I named him as my representative,” Duterte said.
Asked whether contracts signed by Domingo upon the BAC’s recommendation were covered by authority Duterte delegated as mayor and HOPE, he replied: “Yes. Correct.”
Duterte said the arrangement meant he did not have to personally sign every city contract.
But he acknowledged that delegating his signing authority did not transfer his accountability as HOPE.
“You are aware, Mr. Mayor, that delegating your signing authority to Atty. Domingo does not delegate your accountability as the HOPE,” Te said.
“Of course,” Duterte replied.
“You are still the final accountable officer,” Te followed up.
“Yes,” Duterte said.
The exchange came as prosecutors examined Davao City transactions with Gencorp, a company the Vice President declared as a business interest in her 2024 and 2025 Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.
Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System records previously presented at trial showed 15 Davao City contracts awarded to Gencorp totaling P34,216,900.
Mayor Duterte, however, said the city had 19 transactions with Gencorp and clarified that the contracts did not bear his signature but were signed by Domingo under delegated authority.
He confirmed that he has not revoked Domingo’s authority.
Duterte also said he was not necessarily aware of every contract Domingo signed.
“If it comes to my table, yes, I would be aware of it. And if there is an irregularity, then I would be aware of it,” he said.
Duterte also confirmed that he had never served as a member of the Davao City BAC, although he acknowledged that as HOPE, he has authority to approve awards and issue notices of award.
The prosecution is examining the Gencorp transactions under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which covers allegations involving the Vice President’s unexplained wealth, financial disclosures and business interests.
Gencorp’s transactions with Davao City have come under scrutiny because the Vice President declared an interest in the company while in office.
Securities and Exchange Commission records previously presented at trial, however, did not identify her as an incorporator, director or stockholder in the corporate records examined by prosecutors.
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