“𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐀?” | 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐘. 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀 𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐑𝐃’𝐒 “𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄” 𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄 𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄 Former Ombudsman Assistant Special Prosecutor Atty. Anthony Ludalvi Vista said he saw a strong political presence in Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte following the mayor’s appearance as a witness in the impeachment trial of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, on Tuesday, September 29. In a statement reacting to Baste’s appearance before the Senate Impeachment Court, Vista said the mayor displayed qualities that reminded him of their father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. “Today, we see a strong alternative to Sara Duterte. Baste carries the same strong presence people saw in PRRD,” Vista said. Vista’s remarks point to the possibility that Baste could emerge as another prominent figure within the Duterte political family. His observation came as the Davao City mayor drew significant attention during his testimony before the Senate. Baste was called by the prosecution in connection with Article II of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, which involves allegations concerning her wealth and business interests reflected in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). The impeachment court also declared Baste a hostile witness during the proceedings. While Vista described Baste as a potential “strong alternative” to his sister, the statement represents Vista’s political observation, rather than a declaration by Baste himself that he intends to pursue a national political role. Baste’s Senate appearance nevertheless placed renewed attention on the younger Duterte and his role within the family’s political landscape, particularly as the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President continue. - @leur597