The legal counsel of Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday cast doubt on claims raised in a recent hearing linking her and her relatives to money allegedly coming from Davao-based businessman Samuel “Sammy” Uy, stressing that both the characterization of Uy and the supposed transactions remain unproven.
Lawyer Paul Lim Poa told the media that there is no factual basis at this point to conclude wrongdoing, emphasizing that allegations aired during hearings should not be taken as established truth without court validation.
On Wednesday, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV accused the Duterte family of receiving money from Uy, whom he has alleged to be a drug lord.
The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), in a report presented during Wednesday’s impeachment hearing against the vice president, stated that she was identified as a beneficiary of check transactions linked to Uy and his associates.
According to the council, banks submitted reports covering two check transactions issued by Uy and his associates in favor of Duterte between October 2011 and April 2012, amounting to a total of P14.8 million.
Uy is a private entrepreneur with no government post, known for a diversified business portfolio in agribusiness, real estate, automotive, and healthcare across Mindanao. He holds key roles in several firms and has long-standing business ties in the Davao Region.
A known acquaintance of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Uy has figured in past controversies due to his proximity to the Duterte family.
“As to her personally knowing Samuel Uy. I think hindi pa namin napag-usapan pa. But with I think it’s open, its public information naman na kaibigan talaga ni PRRD si Samuel Uy. Now as to the allegation of him being a drug lord, I think that’s I don’t have the facts that’s merely an allegation so we shouldn’t conclude anything out of that. Again unless proven in the court of law I don’t even want to go there and say alleged drug lord. Kawawa naman kasi ‘yung tao na natama yung pangalan,” Poa said.
Poa also pointed out that references to a manager’s check during the hearing do not establish that any funds were actually received by the vice president or her relatives.
“Pagdating dito sa mga perang nabanggit kahapon, I think ang sabi a manager’s check, we have to note that ang nakasabi lang naman is a manager’s check was allegedly parang nagpagawa ng manager’s check allegedly si Sammy Uy and the recipients are the Vice President and ganito and who else. So, yun lang ‘yung nakasulat eh. Wala naman dun anything na natanggap talaga nila and as you know, the Vice President already issued a statement denying that she had any of the, received any of these amounts of money that were presented yesterday,” he said.
Poa said the defense is ready to address the matter if it reaches formal legal proceedings, expressing confidence that the details surrounding the checks will be clarified.
“Now, again, we don’t want to get into the details, but those checks we’re confident that we will be able to clarify everything and show the public kung ano talaga ‘yung nangyari sa checks and kung meron man talaga pagdating ng trial,” he added.
The vice president has earlier denied receiving any of the amounts cited in the hearing.
Meanwhile, Poa said the vice president continues to carry out her duties without disruption, ensuring that programs under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) remain ongoing amid the controversy.
“Business as usual ang ating Bise Presidente, I really admire her strength throughout all this. It’s been happening since, I think, 2023 na parati siyang may atake. And I’ve seen it up close when I was with her. Kilala niyo naman ang Bise Presidente natin. She’s just business as usual. She’s going about her business. Dito sa OVP, sinisigurado lang niya na tuloy-tuloy ang mga proyekto ng OVP, At pagdating naman dito sa mga problema legal, nandito naman ang depense niya na binuo niya maaga pa para nga sigurado na siya na madedepensahan siya ng tama kung sakali mang umabot tayo sa impeachment trial,” he said.
