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

Davao City Accountant Vingelin Bajan faced pointed questioning at the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday over her past partnership in a private accounting firm that served as external auditor for companies linked to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases "Mans" Carpio, according to POLITIKO.

Bajan, the defense's third witness, testified on Day 41 of the trial. The defense presented her to explain a P64,194.72 payment that Duterte received in 2023, after she had become Vice President. Bajan said the amount was a salary differential under the Salary Standardization Law for Duterte's 2020 and 2021 tenure as Davao City mayor, and not unlawful double compensation.

The House prosecution panel then presented records showing that Bajan was a partner in Ampil, Elises, Ciudadano and Co. CPAs while working for the city government. The firm was identified as an external auditor of GenCorp Industries Inc., Metro City Chow Foods Corp., Town Times Square B, City Hall King Chow Foods Corp. and Great Jolly Times Food Corp.

Senator-Judge Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan noted that Bajan became a regular employee of the Davao City Accounting Office in 2004 but remained 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, as senators probed possible conflicts of interest and disclosure of her business interests.

Presiding Officer Francis Escudero grew frustrated 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 the conduct of Davao City Assessor Jaime Adalin, the defense's first witness, who was criticised the previous day for smirking.

Asked by Senator-Judge Joel Villanueva about her commitment to public service, an emotional Bajan said she had once considered becoming a nun but chose a government career, and that she often worked late for the city.

Senator-Judge Lito Lapid then suggested Bajan might be caught in the middle of a controversy involving powerful figures, asking her directly, "Nagagamit ba kayo?" Senator-Judge Imee Marcos defended Bajan, arguing that much of the questioning had strayed into collateral issues unrelated to the salary differential.