The scrutiny of Gencorp Industries Inc. in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial showed its connection to Jollibee, with procurement records showing that “Jollibee Bolton” is a corporation under it and is a franchisee of the fast food chain.
Gencorp, which is linked to Duterte, won P35.878 million worth of government contracts from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Region 11, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation Region 11, and Davao City government from July 2022 to June 2026.
Lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro asked the witness, Rendell Sopeña of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), whether the “Jollibee” mentioned in the documents is the same as the popular fast food restaurant.
“Mr. Witness, binanggit niyo po yung Jollibee Bolton. Ito ho ba yung Jollibee na alam nating lahat?” Luistro asked.
Defense counsel Roberto Batungbacal objected to the question, saying Sopeña is incompetent to answer it.
But Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero said the witness could reply if he knows the answer.
“I am not familiar, your honor,” Sopeña said.
House prosecutor Terry Ridon took off from Jollibee’s slogan and told reporters that for this trial day, “bida ang sarap, bida ang ebidensya.”
PhilGEPS records showed that of the contracts Gencorp won, more than 95 percent or P34.216 million came from the Davao City government, where Duterte’s brother Sebastian serves as mayor.
Sebastian said he or Davao City government personnel did not know of the Vice President’s connection to Gencorp, as her name does not appear in articles of incorporation.
The Vice President listed Gencorp in her business interests in her statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth.