The Senate impeachment court declared Baste Duterte a hostile witness on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, according to the Philippine News Agency. The designation came during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, where Baste Duterte was giving testimony.
In his testimony, Baste Duterte said his sister, Sara Duterte, did not ask him to favor GenCorp or to intervene in procurement matters, Rappler reported. The declaration of a hostile witness allows the court to treat his statements with greater scrutiny.
The proceedings have also focused on GenCorp, a firm linked to the Vice President. Philstar.com reported that 11 contracts won by GenCorp went through no public bidding, while BusinessWorld Online reported that a conflict of interest was flagged in the VP-linked firm. Inquirer.net carried live updates of the trial on September 29.
The impeachment court's move against Baste Duterte marks a notable moment in the trial, which has examined both his testimony and the procurement records tied to GenCorp. The court has not yet indicated how the hostile witness ruling will affect the rest of his testimony or the broader case.
What to watch next: whether the Senate impeachment court draws further testimony from Baste Duterte or moves on to other witnesses and evidence in the trial.
