Senators question Davao City accountant's past audit firm ties at Sara Duterte trial

Davao City Accountant Vingelin Bajan, the third defense witness in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, was questioned by senator-judges on Tuesday over her past role in a private accounting firm that served as external auditor for companies linked to the Duterte-Carpio family, POLITIKO reported.

Bajan was presented by the defense to explain a P64,194.72 payment made to Duterte in 2023, after she had become Vice President. Bajan maintained that the amount was a salary differential under the Salary Standardization Law covering Duterte's time as Davao City mayor in 2020 and 2021, and not unlawful double compensation.

During Day 41 of the trial, the House prosecution panel presented records showing that Bajan had been a partner in Ampil, Elises, Ciudadano and Co. CPAs while working for the Davao City government. According to the report, the firm audited GenCorp Industries Inc., Metro City Chow Foods Corp., Town Times Square B, City Hall King Chow Foods Corp. and Great Jolly Times Food Corp., companies linked to Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases "Mans" Carpio.

Senator-Judge Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan noted that Bajan became a regular employee of the Davao City Accounting Office in 2004 but stayed a listed partner in the firm until she withdrew in 2015. She was later appointed city accountant by then-Mayor Duterte. Senator-Judge Sherwin Gatchalian also raised questions about her simultaneous government and private roles, which prompted discussion of possible conflicts of interest and disclosure.

Presiding Officer Francis Escudero grew impatient with Bajan's difficulty recalling details of the partnership, telling her, "My patience is wearing thin." Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo warned that evasive or disrespectful witnesses could face contempt, comparing her answers to those of Davao City Assessor Jaime Adalin, the first defense witness, who was criticised the day before for smirking.

When Senator-Judge Joel Villanueva asked about her commitment to public service, an emotional Bajan said she once considered becoming a nun before choosing government work, and that she felt she owed Davao City. Senator-Judge Lito Lapid then raised the possibility that she was being used by influential figures, asking, "Nagagamit ba kayo?"

Senator-Judge Imee Marcos defended Bajan, arguing that much of the questioning had drifted into collateral issues unrelated to the salary differential she was called to explain.