Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo raised concerns over a possible conflict of interest involving defense counsel Atty. Michael Poa at the start of the 13th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, August 6.
Tulfo questioned Poa's previous visit to the Commission on Audit (COA) to discuss an audit query related to confidential funds, noting that Poa is now part of the vice president's legal defense team.
"Kasi kahapon nabanggit na si Attorney Poa, magaling na abogado siya, ay pumunta sa COA, tama, para makipag-usap tungkol dun sa sinasabing audit query. Now, hindi ba conflict of interest yun para siya mag-represent dito ngayon sa ano natin, pinag-uusapang confidential funds when in fact, siya mismo pumunta doon sa COA office para makipag-usap sa kanila. What do you think, Mr. Presiding Officer?" Tulfo asked.
Presiding Officer and Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, however, said he sees no conflict of interest, emphasizing that Poa is not the respondent in the impeachment case.
"The respondent in this case, Senator-Judge Tulfo, is the Honorable Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte. Attorney Poa, although he served under the Office of the Vice President, I believe, and even under DepEd, is not a named respondent to this case. And in fact, is one of the lawyers, as you can see, of the respondent. I believe there is no conflict with respect to that given that he is not the one in trial in this case," Escudero said.
Following Escudero's explanation, Tulfo replied, "Okay, I rest my case, Mr. Presiding Officer."
The exchange took place as the Senate impeachment court resumed proceedings on the alleged misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds under Article I of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Duterte.
