During the impeachment trial, a Securities and Exchange Commission witness testified that the 1987 Philippine Constitution prohibits Vice President Sara Duterte from participating in any business during her tenure to avoid conflicts of interest.
MANILA — A witness from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) testified on Monday during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte that the 1987 Philippine Constitution prohibits her from engaging in any business activities while serving in office. Gerardo Fernando Del Rosario, director of the SEC’s Company Registration and Monitoring Department, referenced Article 7, Section 13 of the Constitution, which states that the President, Vice President, Cabinet members, and their deputies shall not hold any other employment or business interest during their tenure. This constitutional provision aims to prevent conflicts of interest in public service.
Del Rosario was questioned about whether Duterte could serve as a board member or hold business interests in companies such as Metro City Chow Foods Corporation and City Hall King Chow Foods Corporation. He affirmed that such involvement is not permitted under the constitutional mandate.
The impeachment court presiding officer, Senator Francis Escudero, allowed the line of questioning after some legal objections, expressing interest in whether the SEC had flagged any business affiliations of the Vice President for violating constitutional provisions. As of the testimony, Del Rosario did not mention any formal flags or reports on businesses linked to Duterte.
This development comes amid ongoing proceedings scrutinizing the Vice President’s alleged conflicts between her business engagements and public duties, highlighting constitutional safeguards against officials maintaining outside business interests during their tenure in government.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1003113/sec-witness-constitution-bans-vp-sara-duterte-from-participating-in-business/story/