Davao accountant, a Sara Duterte defense witness, admits past role in audit firm

A Davao City accountant testifying for Vice President Sara Duterte's defense admitted on Tuesday, November 10, that she was once a partner in an accounting firm that audited three companies linked to Duterte, according to Philstar.com.

Under cross-examination at the Senate impeachment trial, Vingelin Bajan acknowledged that she had been a partner in Ampil, Elis, Shudadano and Co. since the firm was registered in 2003. At the time, she was also working for the Davao City government on a job-order basis.

The firm was the external auditor of GenCorp Industries Inc., Metro City Chow Foods Corp. and Great Jolly Times Food Corp. The companies' links to Duterte are under scrutiny in the impeachment proceedings over her alleged ill-gotten wealth.

Questioned by prosecution counsel Mae Divinagracia, Bajan confirmed that she put capital into the firm while employed by the city government from 2001 to 2004. She maintained, however, that her job-order arrangement did not make her a city government employee. She said she ceased to be a partner when the firm amended its articles of partnership in 2015, a change that removed her name and renamed the firm.

Philstar.com noted that Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, restricts government officials and employees from privately practising their professions while in service.

Senator-judges pressed Bajan over her repeated inability to recall details of her involvement. Asked by Senator-Judge Bam Aquino whether she was paid by the firm, she first said she could not remember. After Aquino warned that her answers put her in dangerous territory, she acknowledged receiving allowances. She also initially said she could not confirm whether the signature on the firm's original partnership documents, which listed a P1,000 capital contribution in her name, was hers, before confirming it after repeated questioning.

Presiding officer Chiz Escudero said, "Please, my patience is wearing thin." Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo suggested disciplinary action, saying the witness showed a lack of respect for the court, and compared her testimony with that of Davao City Assessor Jaime Adalin, whose statements on Monday were also questioned for inconsistencies. Bajan was also called out for repeatedly looking toward the defense panel while answering.

Bajan is the third defense witness under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which covers allegations of ill-gotten wealth and incomplete disclosure in Duterte's Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.