LIVE UPDATES: Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Nov. 11, 2026
MANILA, Philippines — The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte is set to present its third witness on Wednesday, corporate lawyer Suzette Balucanag-Punay, as the impeachment trial enters its 42nd day.
- Balucanag-Punay, corporate counsel of GenCorp Industries Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corp, is expected to testify on the corporate records and financial statements of two companies linked to the vice president, which have figured in the prosecution’s allegations of undeclared wealth.
READ: Highlights: Day 41 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Nov. 10, 2026
- She is expected to present the General Information Sheets (GIS) and Audited Financial Statements of the two corporations linked to Duterte from 2022 to 2025.
- After Balucanag-Punay’s testimony, the defense is expected to present representatives of nine banks where Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, maintain accounts.These include BDO Unibank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, EastWest Bank, Landbank of the Philippines, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., PSBank, Security Bank, UnionBank Davao and UnionBank Mandaluyong.
- The prosecution has accused Duterte of having undisclosed wealth, citing her declaration in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) that she was an incorporator of the two companies, despite not being listed in their GIS.
Defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay takes the witness stand on Day 42 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, addressing questions surrounding Duterte’s corporate ties to Gencorp Industries Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corp.
Here are the highlights. #VPonTrial
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‘THIS IS MY KIND VOICE’
Atty. Lorna Kapunan defended her line of questioning after defense counsel Atty. Justin Gular accused her of badgering witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay, insisting that she was only using her “kind voice” while pressing the witness on constitutional restrictions on the Vice President’s income and business interests. #VPonTrial
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Records show Sara Duterte-linked GenCorp had zero to 2 employees
“You are not a credible witness.”
Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo questions the credibility of Gencorp lawyer Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay after she fails to provide documentary evidence for Vice President Sara Duterte’s P2.14-million return of capital. #VPonTrial
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“Anong produkto o milagro ang ibinenta nila?”
Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo questions the sharp increase in Gencorp’s sales from P28 million in 2021 to P1 billion from 2022 to 2024, asking what drove the growth after Vice President Sara Duterte assumed office.
Defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay attributes the increase to the gradual acquisition of Jollibee branches. #VPonTrial
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‘TSISMIS LANG PALA ‘YON’
Senator-judge Robin Padilla questioned the basis of the alleged P2-million figure, asking defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay who had access to GenCorp’s corporate records.
Punay said the figure was based on accounting records she accessed as an in-house representative, while confirming that prosecution forensic expert Atty. Alexander “Alex” Cabrera had no access to the company’s records. #VPonTrial
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“Your Honor, please, I need to pee.”
Laughters in the impeachment court as prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan asks for a break during her cross-examination of witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay. #VPonTrial
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‘PARANG NAKITA KO YUNG SARILI KO’
Senator-judge Robin Padilla drew parallels between his experience providing financial assistance to struggling MSMEs during the pandemic and the testimony of defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay, recalling how he used much of his salary to help struggling businesses. #VPonTrial
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Raffy Tulfo: Witness not ready to explain VP Duterte’s GenCorp earnings
‘BAWAL PO ‘YAN SA CONSTITUTION’
Senator-judge Risa Hontiveros pressed defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay on the constitutional ban on the Vice President’s direct or indirect participation in any business, citing possible investment or business interests linked to GenCorp or a former company.
After Punay said she was unsure, Hontiveros remarked, “Even I, who am not a lawyer, I am sure,” before citing the constitutional provision. Punay later confirmed that the prohibition is indeed stated in the Constitution. #VPonTrial
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‘MAY PARTICIPATION AS A RECIPIENT’
Senator-judge Kiko Pangilinan questioned Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay’s claim that Vice President Sara Duterte had no participation in the business, pointing out that receiving financial benefits also makes one a recipient. #VPonTrial
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Prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan asks Gencorp counsel Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay if VP Sara Duterte’s alleged business income and interests violate constitutional restrictions on the vice president.
Punay initially says she prefers not to answer before responding, “I don’t know.” #VPonTrial
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‘THEN YOU’RE NOT A CREDIBLE WITNESS’
Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo questioned defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay’s credibility after she failed to provide contracts, cancelled checks, and other documents accounting for Vice President Sara Duterte’s P2.1-million return of capital. #VPonTrial
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“Mayroon akong kakilala, sa TV lang nag-admit, nakulong e.”
Senator-judge Ping Lacson asks GenCorp in-house counsel Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay which carries greater evidentiary weight: Vice President Sara Duterte’s notarized SALN or the company’s SEC records. Punay says the SEC records carry greater weight. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) November 11, 2026
‘Is that a bribe?’ Chua says of VP Duterte’s over P2-M ‘return’
Witness: SALN does not prove Sara Duterte’s ownership of GenCorp
Prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan asks GenCorp’s in-house counsel Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay why Vice President Sara Duterte declared herself a GenCorp stockholder in her SALN when the company’s General Information Sheets (GIS) do not list her as one. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) November 11, 2026
‘MAYROON AKONG KILALA SA LANG NAG-ADMIT, NAKULONG EH’
Senator-judge Panfilo “Ping” Lacson challenged defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay’s position that GenCorp’s SEC records carry greater probative weight than Vice President Sara Duterte’s own sworn SALN. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) November 11, 2026
Sara Duterte had no hand in GenCorp – Davao City contracts, says witness
Witness: VP Duterte was Metro City Chow director, but had no active role
Duterte’s ‘loose’ investment yields over P2M return in 4 years – witness
GenCorp’s in-house counsel, Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay, maintains that Vice President Sara Duterte is not listed as a stockholder in the company’s General Information Sheets (GIS), adding that her declaration in her SALN does not make her one.
“Her unilateral declaration, Your Honor, will not make her a stockholder,” Punay says. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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Kapunan questions defense lawyer’s use of ‘misplaced’ cake metaphor
Defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay says Vice President Sara Duterte owns a 20 percent stake in Metro City Chow Foods Corp., which operates a Chowking branch in San Pedro, Davao City.
She adds that Duterte did not participate in board meetings, business transactions, or the company’s management from 2022 to 2025, despite being listed as a director in its General Information Sheets.
“I have not seen her in the meetings, either board meetings or even company parties, even in the store, in the branch,” she explains. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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Defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay disputes prosecution forensic financial analyst Alexander Cabrera’s findings on Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged undeclared income from Gencorp Industries Inc.
Based on the company’s records, Punay says Duterte received a total of P2.14 million from Gencorp between 2022 and 2025, describing the disbursements as returns of capital. #VPonTrial
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‘REALLY NOT PART OF GENCORP’
Defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay says Vice President Sara Duterte has no involvement in the management, decision-making, or finances of Gencorp Industries Inc.
“She is not a stockholder. She is not a manager, or she is really not part of Gencorp,” Balucanag-Punay says.
She adds that Duterte made no contribution to the franchise fees or required capital investments for Gencorp’s 5 Jollibee branches in Davao City. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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Defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay calls the alleged 20 percent stake of Vice President Sara Duterte in Gencorp Industries Inc. “absurd,” prompting prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan to move to strike the statement from the record. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) November 11, 2026
Witness: Sara Duterte had no GenCorp stake, post from 2022 to 2025
Impeachment court lets Duterte-linked firms’ counsel testify for defense
‘VERY BIG DIFFERENCE’
Defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay disputes the alleged undeclared income attributed to Vice President Sara Duterte from GenCorp Industries Inc. in prosecution witness Alexander Cabrera’s forensic report.
Based on GenCorp’s corporate records, Balucanag-Punay says Duterte received a total of P2,142,369.14 from 2022 to 2025, which she describes as a return of capital.
2022: P337,500
2023: P555,750
2024: P612,419.14
2025: P636,700She describes the difference between these amounts and Cabrera’s reported figures as a “very big difference.” #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) November 11, 2026
‘KUMAIN SIGURO NG JOLLIBEE DOON, FAMILIAR NA SIYA’
Atty. Lorna Kapunan questioned the testimony of Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay, asking how the defense witness could explain the transfer of Vice President Sara Duterte’s shareholdings between companies despite previously saying she did not know the Vice President personally.
The objection came after Balucanag-Punay testified that Duterte has no stockholdings in the previous owner of the Jollibee Times Square branch but has a loose investment in the branch. #VPonTrial
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Corporate lawyer Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay confirms that GenCorp Industries Inc. is in the fast-food business and operates 5 Jollibee branches in Davao City:
Jollibee Bolton
Jollibee Matina Crossing
Jollibee G Mall
Jollibee Times Square
Jollibee Abreeza#VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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‘I CAN ALSO SAY THAT HER TESTIMONY IS ABSURD’
Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay described the inconsistency between the corporation’s records and the forensic report of Atty. Alexander Cabrera regarding Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged 20 percent shareholding in GenCorp. as “absurd,” prompting Atty. Lorna Kapunan to move to strike the statement and question its basis. #VPonTrial
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‘I CAN ALSO SAY HER TESTIMONY IS ABSURD’
Defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay describes as “absurd” the finding in the forensic report of prosecution witness, financial analyst Alexander Cabrera, that VP Sara Duterte had a 20% ownership stake in Gencorp Industries Inc.
Prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan moves to strike the word “absurd.”
“Absurd is a conclusion of fact and law, and more than that, it is an opinion. I can also say that her testimony is absurd,” Kapunan said.
Defense counsel Justin Nichol Gular counters that witnesses have the right not to be badgered.
“To call a witness’ testimony absurd without basis is badgering our witness, Your Honor,” Gular said.
Both Punay and Kapunan’s use of the word “absurd” were stricken from the record. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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Luistro: Sub judice manifestation vs Tolosa a ‘diversionary tactic’
Sara Duterte impeachment: Defense presents witnesses to counter case
Defense counsel Justin Nichol Gular presents witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay with the forensic report of prosecution witness Alexander Cabrera, which attributes a 20% interest in GenCorp Industries Inc. to Vice President Sara Duterte.
Prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan objects, arguing that Balucanag-Punay is not an expert witness qualified to challenge Cabrera’s forensic findings.
“By counsel’s own admission, she is an ordinary witness who will attest to the findings of an expert witness,” Kapunan said.
Gular counters that he is asking her to testify on factual matters within her personal knowledge, not to offer a contrary expert opinion.
Presiding Officer Francis Escudero allows the line of questioning, clarifying that the witness may testify on the factual basis of Cabrera’s findings, while noting the prosecution’s continuing objection. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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Defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay says Vice President Sara Duterte had no shareholdings or corporate positions in GenCorp Industries Inc. from 2022 to 2025, based on her personal knowledge and available corporate records. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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‘I AM FROM DAVAO CITY’
Defense witness Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay clarified that she has no personal or professional relationship with Vice President Sara Duterte, saying she only knows her because she is from Davao City.
Balucanag-Punay further said she learned about Duterte’s impeachment trial because it has been all over social media. #VPonTrial
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Prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan questions whether Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay has board authorization from GenCorp Industries, Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corp. to testify and identify company documents before the impeachment court.
“The board resolution is important because we do not want, this is not to preempt the testimony of the witness, but we do not want at some point in time that she will call the attention of the honorable Presiding Officer, and hide behind the lawyer-client privilege, Your Honor.”
Defense counsel Justin Nichol Gular argues that the witness is appearing in compliance with a court-issued subpoena and says questioning her authority is premature. He also maintains that only the corporate clients can invoke lawyer-client privilege. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay takes the witness stand on Wednesday, Nov. 11, to testify that Vice President Sara Duterte is not a stockholder, officer, or director of GenCorp Industries, Inc. #VPonTrial
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The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumes on Wednesday, November 11.
A quorum has been declared, with 13 senator-judges present. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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‘DIVERSIONARY TACTIC’
WATCH: House lead prosecutor Cong. Gerville Luistro says they were surprised by the defense’s sudden raising of the possible sub judice violation of prosecution counsel Jay Tolosa before the impeachment court.
Luistro alleges that it was a diversionary tactic on the part of the defense. In turn, the prosecution is also considering raising before the court Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged sub judice violation, she said. #VPonTrial | @bellepechayINQ
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WATCH: House prosecutor Cong. Terry Ridon says the senator-judges’ impatience should be a signal for the defense to do better this Wednesday, the 42nd day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. #VPonTrial | @bellepechayINQ
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WATCH: Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Nov. 11, 2026
VP Trial Day 42: GenCorp, Metro Chow counsel to take witness stand
‘Evasive,’ conflicting answers test impeach court’s patience
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