Defense lawyer Atty. Michael Poa said his experience as a government spokesperson has taught him the importance of staying calm when speaking in public, following observations that he delivered his oral arguments in a measured tone during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment proceedings last Wednesday.
In an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos on Friday, Poa said the relatively calm exchanges seen during the oral arguments may not necessarily continue as the impeachment trial moves into more adversarial stages.
He was responding to observations that both the prosecution and defense maintained a less confrontational tone during Wednesday’s proceedings, with presiding officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero also noting the measured exchanges.
According to Poa, the calm atmosphere was largely due to the nature of the proceedings, where both sides were given uninterrupted time to present their arguments.
“Tao lang tayo so minsan umiinit din talaga yung ulo natin lalo na pag medyo heated, ika nga, nagiging debate,” he said.
He added that proceedings may become more contentious once the trial enters phases involving cross-examination and re-examination of witnesses.
“But syempre pagdating sa trial proper kung saan meron cross-examination, re-examination minsan hindi talaga maiiwasan na magkaroon ng mainit na balitaktakan. In fairness to all the lawyers on both sides,” Poa said.
The impeachment trial of Duterte is expected to include witness testimonies and evidentiary proceedings, where both the prosecution and defense will challenge each other’s claims.
During the same interview, Poa said he only met Duterte in 2022 after she assumed office as vice president and was appointed education secretary, clarifying that he was not part of her campaign.
He said he previously worked at the Government Service Insurance System and applied for a position at the Department of Education to help address issues involving teachers’ loans.
Poa said he was later asked to also serve as Duterte’s spokesperson, a role he continues to hold as part of her defense team.
The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, is set to resume with the trial proper on July 20.
