House Committee on Public Accounts Chairman Terry Ridon expressed concern over a possible conflict of interest involving members of Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal team in the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
Ridon raised the issue after the legal team representing Duterte was introduced in connection with the impeachment case.
According to the lawmaker, two lawyers included in Duterte’s legal team may potentially serve as witnesses in matters related to the confidential funds under scrutiny. These lawyers are Atty. Michael Poa and Reynold Munsayac.
Ridon said both individuals had direct participation in the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
He noted that their presence on the legal team could raise serious ethical and procedural questions, especially if they possess knowledge of transactions or decisions currently being examined.
If they have relevant information, Ridon said they could be required to appear at hearings and testify under oath.
Poa previously served as spokesperson of the Department of Education when Duterte was the agency’s secretary. During that period, hundreds of millions of pesos in confidential funds were allocated to the department.
Congress is investigating how those funds were used and liquidated.
Ridon said Poa may have knowledge about policy decisions and internal processes related to the use of those funds.
Meanwhile, Munsayac serves as spokesperson for the vice president and previously worked as assistant secretary for procurement at the Department of Education.
Ridon said Munsayac could potentially be asked about document preparation, compliance with auditing rules, or the legal justification of certain transactions.
The lawmaker explained that in legal proceedings, lawyers are often required to withdraw from representing a client if they become material witnesses to avoid conflict of interest.
Poa and Munsayac were listed in the “entry of appearance” of Duterte’s legal team shared by Ridon, which identifies those representing the vice president in the impeachment proceedings.
