The Senate impeachment court continues the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, September 2, focusing on Article I of the Articles of Impeachment, which concerns the alleged misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds.
The House prosecution team is set to present defense lawyer Atty. Michael Poa, a former chief of staff and spokesperson of the Department of Education (DepEd), as a witness.
Poa is expected to be questioned about his knowledge of the use, processing, and liquidation of the ₱112.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the DepEd during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary.
Trial begins
The 21st day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial begins on Wednesday, September 2.
Seventeen senators serving as senator-judges attend the continuation of the proceedings.
Senator Bam Aquino leads the opening prayer, asking for clear judgment and guidance.
Michael Poa takes the witness stand
Atty. Michael Poa takes his oath before the Senate impeachment court as a witness.
Poa, who previously served as a Department of Education undersecretary, chief of staff, and spokesperson during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary, is now part of her defense team.
Prosecution presents Poa’s 13-point testimony offer
House private prosecutor Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. presents the 13-point offer of testimony of Atty. Michael Poa in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, focusing on his alleged role in responding to the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding the ₱112.5 million confidential funds of the Department of Education.
‘Abogadong walang alam’ remark draws objection
Defense team lead Atty. Sheila Sison objects to private prosecutor Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr.’s use of the phrase “abogadong walang alam” in referring to hostile witness Atty. Michael Poa.
Tolosa apologizes to Poa and says the remark was meant to describe his previous statements that he had no knowledge of the use and liquidation of confidential funds, while Sison says the prosecution could have used the more respectful term “no personal knowledge.”
Sison calls Poa testimony offer ‘just rhetoric’
Defense team lead Atty. Sheila Sison criticizes the prosecution’s 13-point offer of testimony for Atty. Michael Poa, describing it as “just rhetoric aimed to provide drama” in the impeachment proceedings.
Sison also disputes the prosecution’s characterization of Poa as one of Vice President Sara Duterte’s most trusted men and says the claim that he “answered for” the ₱112.5 million confidential funds is misleading.
Poa declared hostile witness
Presiding Officer Sen. Chiz Escudero declares Atty. Michael Poa a hostile witness.
The declaration comes as Poa takes the witness stand during the 21st day of the proceedings.
Tolosa begins direct examination of Poa
House private prosecutor Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. begins his direct examination of Atty. Michael Poa.
‘Objection, vague’ raised during Poa testimony
Lead defense counsel Atty. Sheila Sison objects to House private prosecutor Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr.’s question to Atty. Michael Poa about the scope of his duties as chief of staff at the Department of Education.
Sison argues that the use of the word “whatever” makes the question vague, but Presiding Officer Sen. Chiz Escudero overrules the objection and allows Poa to answer.
Poa confirms familiarity with COA audit memorandum
Atty. Michael Poa confirms that he is familiar with COA Audit Observation Memorandum No. 2024-015 concerning the use of ₱75 million in DepEd confidential funds for the first two quarters of 2023.
Poa also confirms that he submitted the response to the COA on April 17, 2024, but says he did not sign the liquidation reports, which were signed by SDO Edward Fajarda, Vice President Sara Duterte as head of agency, and an accountant.
Poa confirms no DepEd funds given to AFP for YLS
Atty. Michael Poa confirms that the Department of Education did not provide any funds to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the conduct of Youth Leadership Summits.
Poa agrees with House private prosecutor Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. that this includes confidential funds.
Trial is on recess
The 21st day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial is temporarily suspended for a lunch break. The proceedings are set to resume at 12:45 p.m.
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