The legal team of Vice President Sara Duterte has formally entered its appearance before the House Committee on Justice as impeachment proceedings against her continue to gain national attention. The committee received the Appearance Ad Cautelam submitted by the Vice President’s lawyers on March 9, 2026.
The document was filed by lawyers from the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar law office, along with several other members of the defense team. In the filing, Duterte’s lawyers clarified that their appearance in the proceedings does not mean they are conceding to the jurisdiction of the House committee. Instead, the document states that the lawyers are entering their appearance “without waiving any jurisdictional and other objections to these proceedings and her right to avail of the appropriate remedies therefor.”
An Appearance Ad Cautelam is a legal filing used by lawyers to formally inform a court or tribunal that they represent a party, while simultaneously reserving the right to challenge the authority or legality of the proceedings.
The House Committee on Justice acknowledged receiving the document, which also contains the list of lawyers who will serve as Duterte’s defense counsel during the impeachment process. The team includes prominent legal practitioners such as Philip Sigfrid Fortun, Gregorio Narvasa II, Sheila Sison, Carlo Joaquin Narvasa, Justin Nicol Gular, David Ronell Golla VII, Lindon Miguel Bacquel, Karol Grace Oroceo, Clarlaine Radoc, Francesca Marie Flores, Miguel Carlos Fernandez, Michael Wesley Poa, Reynold Munsayac, Mark Vinluan, Ralph Bodota, and Roberto Batungbacal.
The filing of the document signals that Duterte’s camp is preparing for the upcoming hearings and legal debates surrounding the impeachment complaints filed against her. However, lawmakers emphasized that the submission of the appearance does not necessarily mean the Vice President will immediately file a formal response to the accusations.
House Committee on Justice member and Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon explained that the legal move should not be interpreted as confirmation that Duterte will submit her answer to the impeachment complaints.
According to Ridon, the term “ad cautelam,” which translates to “with caution,” simply means the lawyers are formally identifying themselves as the Vice President’s counsel while keeping their legal options open.
“This means the lawyers are merely introducing themselves as the Vice President’s counsel in the impeachment proceedings,” Ridon said in an online interview. He added that Duterte’s legal team may still decide whether or not to submit an official answer and how they will participate in the hearings.
Ridon also raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving two members of Duterte’s defense team—Michael Wesley Poa and Reynold Munsayac—who could be called as witnesses during the proceedings.
Poa previously served as spokesperson for the Department of Education and had publicly explained and defended the use of confidential funds during that period. Ridon noted that Poa’s previous role could place him close to policy decisions and internal processes related to the funds mentioned in the impeachment complaints.
Meanwhile, Munsayac served as the Vice President’s spokesperson and as Assistant Secretary for Procurement. Ridon said individuals involved in document preparation, auditing compliance, or procurement decisions could be asked to testify during the hearings.
The lawmaker stressed that ethical issues may arise if a lawyer simultaneously acts as both an advocate and a witness in the same case.
If Poa or Munsayac refuse to attend hearings as resource persons, Ridon said the House committee has the authority to issue subpoenas requiring them to testify. However, he noted that they may invoke the lawyer-client privilege only on matters involving legal advice given to the Vice President.
As of now, the lawyers involved—including Poa, Munsayac, and the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar law firm—have not released official statements regarding the concerns raised. Meanwhile, the House Committee on Justice continues to review the impeachment complaints as the political and legal process unfolds.