Macalintal: No conflict of interest in getting endorsed by ex-clients

Election lawyer and senatorial candidate Romulo Macalintal sees no conflict of interest if his clients in politics would endorse his candidacy in exchange for his professional and legal services.

"Wala naman akong nakikitang conflict of interest doon kasi lahat ng mga kliyente ko'y mga politiko, mga natulungan kong mga kandidato, kaya hinihiling ko naman sa kanila ikampanya nila ako dun sa mga lugar nila sapagkat sila'y mga leaders din ng mga nasabing areas," Macalintal said in Debate 2019: The GMA Senatorial Face-off held Saturday.

Macalintal was responding to a question by panelist Mel Tiangco, who said such setup could leave "a bad taste in the mouth."

"Ayoko na ako ay gagastos nang napakalaki pagkatapos ay kukuha lang ako ng kung anu-ano kapag ako'y naging senador na. 'Yun ang mas bad taste. Hindi bad taste na 'yung makipag-exchange deal ka," Macalintal said.

Tiangco then asked Macalintal how the public could be assured that he would not engage in other forms of "exchange deals" once he secures a position in the Senate.

Macalintal said that his track record in working closely with high-ranking politicians in the country will prove his integrity.

"Kahit kailan hindi ako humingi ng anumang project, hindi ako humiling ng anumang transaksyon, walang makapagsasabi sa aking politiko na ako ay ginamit ko 'yung aking relasyon. Kung ano ang tama 'yun ang aking susundin. Kung ano ang kinakailangan, 'yun ang aking gagawin," he said.

—KBK, GMA News