‘Is that a bribe?’ Chua says of VP Duterte’s over P2-M ‘return’

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s receipt of over P2 million “return of capital” in the span of four years from GenCorp Industries Inc., despite not having any shares or position in the company, prompted public prosecutor and Manila Rep. Joel Chua to ask if the said amount could be a bribe.

Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay, testifying before the Senate impeachment court on Wednesday, said GenCorp has disbursed to Duterte P2,142,369.14 from 2022 to 2025 as “return of capital” from the vice president’s “loose investments,” even as she has no stockholdings or position in the company.

READ: Witness: Sara Duterte had no GenCorp stake, post from 2022 to 2025

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Chua said Balucanag-Punay’s testimony even raised more questions.

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“First of all, what is a ‘loose investment’? What’s worse is, she even said that there is a return of capital being given to our vice president, but on record there is no recorded contribution or investment,” Chua said in a press conference.

He also said: ”So now, if they say that the Vice President has no investment, what is the monthly payment they call a ‘loose investment?’ Is that a bribe?”

Chua noted that GenCorp has business transactions in Davao City.

House prosecution spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong cited the 19 contracts the GenCorp had won from 2022 to 2026 during the term of the vice president’s brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.

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“Thank you, Atty. Suzette for proving that there is a conflict of interest in securing the government contracts of GenCorp in Davao City, because she admitted that the Vice President is getting a ‘loose investment’ from GenCorp,” Adiong also said.

Adiong also said Duterte’s receipt of such funds is a “direct violation” of the Constitution

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He said Article VII, Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution prohibits officials like the Vice President from “indirectly or directly” having business interests or any financial packages. /mr