Atty. Michael Poa, spokesperson for Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team, on Tuesday denied agreeing with Atty. Paolo Panelo’s characterization of the Senate impeachment court proceedings as “lokohan” following the impeachment court’s ruling on the voting threshold for conviction.

Poa clarified during a defense press conference after the 31st day of Duterte’s impeachment trial, saying he had not made or agreed with any such remark.

“That’s not true. Just to set the record straight, I didn’t agree with him on anything as to ‘lokohan’ or anything like that,” Poa said.

“I’ve always maintained candor with all of you. I’ve always maintained respect with the court.”

Poa said that while the defense may disagree with the impeachment court’s decision, any objection should be raised through the proper legal remedies rather than through media statements.

He said he personally messaged Panelo, who serves as the spokesperson of Vice President Sara Duterte, after learning of the remark to ask regarding the statement.

“I will not allow my name to be dragged into something na wala naman akong kinalaman,” Poa said, adding that Panelo had assured him that the situation would not happen again.

Poa emphasized that lawyers representing Duterte must respect the court’s decisions even when these do not favor the defense, while pursuing available remedies to protect their client’s rights.

“If we have any objections or anything we don’t see eye to eye or don’t agree with in terms of the decision of the court, the remedy is to file the necessary petition before the Supreme Court,” he said.

The defense is already discussing whether to bring the matter before the Supreme Court, Poa added.

To recall, the Senate impeachment court voted 13-1 on Sept. 23 to amend the conviction threshold for Vice President Sara Duterte, requiring two-thirds of the senator-judges who are legally and factually qualified to take part in the proceedings instead of the previous fixed requirement of 16 votes.