Duterte impeachment: Davao accountant grilled over ‘evasive’ answers about former firm

MANILA — An accountant from the Davao City government drew the ire of several senator-judges on Tuesday over what was described as “evasive” answers about her previous ties to an accounting firm, an issue raised during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The defense panel presented Davao City accountant Vingelin Bajan to establish that a payment made by the city government to Duterte in 2023, when she was already serving as vice president, represented a salary differential rather than “double compensation.”

Before becoming vice president, Duterte served as mayor of Davao City, the southern city long considered her family’s political stronghold.

During cross examination, prosecutor Mae Divinagracia, seeking to test the credibility of the witness, asked Bajan whether she was previously part of accounting firm Ampil, Elises, Ciudadano & Co., CPAs.

Bajan initially struggled to answer when presented with a document listing her as a member of the firm, but later confirmed that she had been part of it.

Divinagracia also asked Bajan whether the firm amended its articles of partnership in 2015 to remove her name, presenting her with a copy of the document. However, the accountant was unable to give an immediate answer.

The prosecutor explained that Bajan was removed as a partner of the firm, which was later renamed Elises & Ciudadano, a year before she was appointed Davao City accountant.

Sen. Francis Escudero and Divinagracia both noticed that Bajan repeatedly glanced at the defense counsels, prompting the prosecutor to ask the presiding officer to instruct the witness not to look at the lawyers. Escudero agreed to the request.

“The question is quite simple: nag-file po ba kayo ng amended articles of general partnership na inalis pangalan niyo sa accounting firm taong 2015?” Escudero asked, but Bajan still unable to give an immediate response.

“Hindi ko po ma-remember, Your Honor, sorry,” Bajan said, adding that she was no longer affiliated with the firm.

Despite being shown documents, Bajan could not recall when she was removed as a partner of the firm, prompting Divinagracia to remark: “This witness seems to refuse to answer or is hesitating to answer the question.”

“Parte kayo ng accounting firm, hindi niyo maalala kung kailan kayo umalis o kung finile po ‘yan, nasa harap niyo na po ‘yong dokumento?” Escudero asked.

Bajan also took some time to answer when asked whether she had signed the documents presented to her, which bore her signature.

Several senator-judges appeared irritated over the matter, as Bajan was the second witness from the defense who appeared unable to answer questions.

On Monday, another witness and Davao City official, assessor Jaime Adalin, also drew criticism from senator-judges after initially failing to answer whether he was among the city officials who joined a China trip in November 2025 sponsored by the Chinese consulate.

Early in Tuesday’s proceedings, Escudero warned that individuals who lie before or appear to mock the impeachment court could be cited for contempt or face perjury charges.

“Kahapon ‘yong isang witness tatawa-tawa, ngayon ito very evasive, nagmaang-maangan. Ba’t hindi natin i-contempt ang mga ‘to, nang sa gayon magkaroon ng respeto sa impeachment court?” Sen. Raffy Tulfo suggested.

“Sa nakikita ko wala silang respeto sa impeachment court,” Tulfo added.

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said the questions being asked to Bajan were “very simple.”

“It can only be answered by yes or not, but it is taking her several minutes and going through pages. We find this unacceptable,” Pangilinan said.

As questioning continued over Bajan’s departure from the firm, she took several minutes to respond. At one point, Escudero remarked: “My patience is wearing thin.”

“Kami, napipikon na, you’ve been very evasive to a very simple question,” Tulfo said.

“Sasabihin niyo, ‘Hindi niyo maalala, hindi niyo po alam.’ Mahirap kami makumbinsi nang ganoon. Alam niyo ho, we’re practicing utmost patience to you,” Sen. Joel Villanueva told the witness.

Divinagracia then asked whether Bajan knew that Elises & Ciudadano was the same firm that served as the external auditor for GenCorp Industries Inc., Metro City Chow Foods, Davao New Royal Taipan Corp. and other companies in which Duterte and her husband had declared business interests. Bajan said she could not remember.

Like Adalin, Bajan was also asked whether she traveled to China in December 2025. She confirmed making the trip during the “first week of December,” but clarified that she went with friends, not fellow city officials.

However, Bajan said she was not among the city officials who traveled to China in January 2026, the month Adalin said he joined other Davao City officials on a “personal” trip.