The Duterte impeachment trial defense team
Metro Manila, Philippines - Familiar faces will defend Vice President Sara Duterte, including a lawyer that was involved in an impeachment trial more than two decades ago.
Duterte’s defense team - mostly from law firm Fortun Narvasa & Salazar (FNS), filed a formal entry of appearance ad cautelam (with caution) at the Impeachment Court on Monday, June 16.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in February for graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, and other high crimes.
Philip Sigfrid Fortun
Sigfrid Fortun, founding partner of the law firm, was once part of the defense counsels during the Joseph Estrada impeachment trial, along with his brother, Raymond.
He also represented some of the Ampatuan family members in the Maguindanao Massacre case but withdrew later on.
A description of the 16-man legal team stated that Fortun’s experience spans criminal and civil litigation, arbitration to corporate rehabilitation and insolvency work.
He finished law at the University of the Philippines in 1983 and passed the bar a year after.
Gregorio Narvasa II
Another founding partner of Fortun Narvasa & Salazar is part of the defense team.
Gregorio Narvasa II is the son of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Andres Narvasa, who also represented Estrada in the 2000-2001 trial.
Gregorio finished law school in 1985 at the University of the Philippines.
New gen lawyers
Other lawyers for Duterte, meanwhile, are from the new generation.
One of them is Miguel Carlos Fernandez, who earned his juris doctor degree in 2024 at the Ateneo de Manila University. He is a founding member of pop band “Lola Amour.”
Others are Roberto Batungbangcal who passed the bar in 2019 and Clarlaine F. Radoc, who earned her juris doctor degree in 2020 at University of San Carlos.
Other listed counsels are as follows:
+ Sheila C. Sison
+ Carlo Joaquin Narvasa
+ Justin Nicol Gular
+ Lindon Miguel C. Bacquel
+ David Ronell M. Golla VII
+ Maria Selena Golda R. Fortun
+ Francesca Marie V. Flores
+ Mark Vinluan
+ Ralph Bodota
Former Duterte spokespersons
Former spokespersons of Duterte’s agencies also joined as counsels.
Reynold Munsayac, Duterte’s classmate in law school, was the vice president’s spokesperson after she won in 2022.
Munsayac resigned as acting chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government in 2021 to help in Duterte’s election bid.
Michael Poa, former education spokesperson, quit the department in July 2024 shortly after Duterte stepped down from her post.
Poa was appointed OVP spokesperson in August but confirmed months after that he is no longer affiliated with the agency amid investigations on the office’s spending.
