Businessman Jaime T. Cruz is under scrutiny for his corporate links to Vice President Sara Duterte, as prosecutors consider calling him to testify in the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
Key facts
- •Jaime T. Cruz is the president and largest shareholder of Metro City Chow Foods Corporation.
- •Sara Duterte has declared herself an incorporator or stockholder of Metro City Chow Foods and Davao New Royal Taipan Corporation in her SALNs.
- •Gencorp Industries Inc., where JTC Group is the largest shareholder, has received contracts from Davao City Hall.
- •House prosecutors are considering calling Cruz and Gencorp executives to testify in the impeachment trial.
- •The 1987 Constitution restricts the vice president from maintaining financial interests in government-granted contracts or privileges.
Business connections between Vice President Sara Duterte and businessman Jaime T. Cruz were highlighted during the Senate impeachment trial on Monday, September 21. Prosecutors are considering calling Cruz as a witness, as his name appears in corporate records for several companies where Duterte has declared financial interests.
Corporate Links and SALN Declarations
Corporate records identify Cruz as the president and primary shareholder of Metro City Chow Foods Corporation, a company Duterte has listed as an incorporator and stockholder in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) since 2007. Duterte also declared herself an incorporator and stockholder of Davao New Royal Taipan Corporation since 2004, and previously listed Davao Bounty Times Foods Corporation as a business interest in her 2010 through 2012 SALNs.
Gencorp and Constitutional Concerns
Cruz is an incorporator and president of the JTC Group of Companies Philippines Inc., which is the largest shareholder of Gencorp Industries Inc. While Duterte has declared Gencorp in her SALNs, corporate records for Gencorp do not list her as an officer or shareholder. Reports indicate Gencorp secured contracts from Davao City Hall while Duterte served as vice president and her brother, Sebastian Duterte, served as city mayor. These ties are being examined under Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, which prohibits the vice president from holding financial interests in government contracts or franchises.
Timeline
- 2004Sara Duterte began declaring herself an incorporator or stockholder of Davao New Royal Taipan Corporation.
- 2007Sara Duterte began declaring herself an incorporator or stockholder of Metro City Chow Foods Corporation.
- September 21The business ties between Duterte and Cruz were examined during the Senate impeachment trial.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler.
