Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon on Wednesday raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest after Vice President Sara Duterte included two possible witnesses in her impeachment proceedings as part of her legal counsel.
Ridon cited documents submitted to the House Committee on Justice showing that Duterte’s team includes Michael Poa and Reynold Munsayac, both linked to transactions involving confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
“The presence of potential witnesses in the Vice President’s legal team raises serious ethical and procedural questions. If these lawyers possess firsthand knowledge of the transactions or decisions under scrutiny, they may eventually have to testify under oath,” Ridon said.
He noted that Poa served as DepEd spokesperson during Duterte’s tenure as secretary, while Munsayac acted as her spokesperson and Education Assistant Secretary for Procurement.
“As DepEd spokesperson at the time, Mr. Poa was the official who repeatedly explained and defended the use of confidential funds before the public and the media… That position places him close to the policy decisions and internal processes governing the use of those funds,” Ridon explained.
Ridon emphasized that in legal proceedings, lawyers who may serve as material witnesses are often required to withdraw to avoid conflicts between advocacy and testimony.
“A lawyer cannot simultaneously act as an advocate and a witness in the same case without raising serious ethical concerns,” he said.
He added that if Poa or Munsayac have knowledge of the confidential fund usage, their testimony could be vital to establishing the full picture.
“The goal of the impeachment process is to uncover the truth. Anyone with relevant information may eventually be called to help establish that truth,” Ridon emphasized.