By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense counsel Michael Poa is a “central figure” in her impeachment trial because he previously served as her spokesperson at the Department of Education (DepEd), lawmakers said on Monday.
Poa is scheduled to testify as a prosecution witness as the Senate impeachment court tackles Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds at both DepEd, where she served as secretary, and the Office of the Vice President.
During the House committee on good governance and public accountability’s 2024 inquiry into Duterte’s use of confidential funds, DepEd Undersecretary Nolasco Mempin testified that Poa requested military certifications for DepEd’s response to the Commission on Audit’s audit observation memorandum.
Poa also appeared before the same 2024 hearing, but House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V noted Poa’s “limited responses,” which he said Poa may clarify before the impeachment court.
