Lawyered up, Vice President Sara Duterte has engaged veteran lawyer Estelito Mendoza to represent her in three certiorari petitions before the Supreme Court.

The cases revolve around the controversial P125 million confidential fund she received in 2022.

Mendoza, 94, previously served as solicitor general under President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. from 1972 to 1986.

He is widely recognized for his defense of high-profile politicians, including former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senator Ramon Revilla, and Presidential Legal Adviser Juan Ponce Enrile.

In a 16-page consolidated comment dated May 9, Mendoza announced that the Supreme Court had accepted his representation of Duterte, citing resolutions issued on January 30 and February 6, Inquirer reported.

According to the Supreme Court’s website, three pending petitions challenge the constitutionality of Duterte’s confidential fund. These petitions were filed by lawyer Christian Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution; lawyer Howard Calleja; and ACT Teachers Representative France Castro.

Mendoza argued for the dismissal of these petitions, claiming they failed to present an “actual case or controversy.” He stated, “Simply put, the ‘case-or-controversy’ requirement of the Constitution bans this court from deciding ‘abstract, hypothetical or contingent questions’ lest the court give opinions in the nature of advice concerning legislative or executive action.”

He further contended that the petitioners did not show they had suffered “concrete injury resulting from the act supposedly committed by respondent VP Sara ‘with grave abuse of discretion.’” Mendoza noted, “The petitioners simply made a blanket allegation that they are taxpayers or concerned citizens but without the constitutional requirement of justiciability.”

The petitions for certiorari filed last year by Monsod and Castro seek to have the Supreme Court declare the transfer of P125 million in confidential funds from the Office of the President to Duterte’s office unconstitutional. These funds were part of the P221.4 million in contingent funds released to the Office of the Vice President in December 2022.

Mendoza’s name appeared on Duterte’s legal submissions to the Supreme Court regarding the pending cases. Known for his significant legal victories, Mendoza has successfully defended figures such as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his disqualification case and secured acquittals for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Ramon Revilla on plunder charges. He also won bail for Enrile in his plunder case.

Mendoza’s involvement signals a formidable defense for Vice President Duterte in this high-stakes legal battle.