Concerns raised over VP lawyers’ possible conflict of interest

MANILA, Philippines — House public accounts panel and Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon yesterday raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest after two members of the legal team of Vice President Sara Duterte in the ongoing impeachment proceedings were identified as possible witnesses in the handling of confidential funds.

Ridon said the inclusion of Michael Poa and Reynold Munsayac in Duterte’s defense panel raises serious questions because both men had direct involvement in issues surrounding the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

“If these lawyers possess firsthand knowledge of the transactions or decisions under scrutiny, they may eventually have to testify under oath,” Ridon said in a statement.

He noted that Poa served as DepEd spokesperson when Duterte was agency chief.

During that time, DepEd received hundreds of millions of pesos in confidential funds, which later became the subject of congressional scrutiny over how the funds were disbursed and liquidated.

Meanwhile, Munsayac has served as spokesperson of the Vice President and DepEd Assistant Secretary for Procurement.

Veteran counsel Sigfrid Fortun is leading Duterte’s defense team, assisted by associates from Fortun Narvasa and Salazar Law Office. –  Delon Porcalla