MANILA, Philippines —HOUSE Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list on Tuesday raised concerns over the inclusion of former Department of Education (DepEd) spokesperson Michael Poa in Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal team, suggesting it may be a strategic move to prevent him from testifying in the upcoming impeachment trial.
Acidre pointed out that Poa, who also previously served as spokesperson of the Office of the Vice President, was in a position to shed light on key issues surrounding the Vice President’s use of confidential funds.
However, by making him part of the defense team, the impeachment court may be prevented from compelling him to testify.
“Well, ako kung ako tatanungin, medyo inaasahan ko na rin na gagawing kasama ng legal team si Atty. Mike Poa kasi sa totoo lang ho, pwede po silang magtago sa … principle ng lawyer-client confidentiality,” Acidre, who chairs the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, said in response to a reporter’s question during a Zoom press conference.
He added that this move from Duterte’s camp seems to be another attempt to deflect attention from unanswered questions regarding the alleged misuse of public funds.
“Makikita po natin ang isa na namang attempt to deflect. Kung totoohanin na gusto talaga ni Atty. Mike Poa, na kaibigan natin, na sabihin ng totoo, mayroon silang pagkakataon nung panahon nung investigation sa (Committee on) Good Government,” he said.
House Assistant Majority Leader Pammy Zamora of Taguig City echoed the same sentiment, noting that Poa’s inclusion in Duterte’s legal team only raises more questions.
“On my end, hindi naman siya bago no. It’s nothing new to us. Si former spokesperson Michael Poa, matagal naman na siyang part talaga ng kanilang official family. Kahit na may pinagdaanang time na umalis siya, wala naman kaduda-duda na parte siya,” Zamora said.
Zamora recalled that Poa had previously claimed he had no knowledge of certain details regarding the use of confidential funds, stating that they were beyond his scope as DepEd spokesperson. She now expects that his position within Duterte’s legal team should allow him to provide answers.
“So, ngayon kung may mga tanong ‘yung di masasagot si former spokesperson Poa, ah excited kami ngayon kasi at least sabay-sabay nating malalaman. Dati may mga hindi siya masagot patungkol sa confidential funds, hindi daw siya parte … So, ngayon I’m very excited na parte siya ng impeachment team ni VP Sara. Then we get to hear the correct answers from them,” she said.
Acidre, however, remains skeptical, emphasizing that Poa’s involvement in Duterte’s defense could be a deliberate maneuver to keep him from revealing critical information before the impeachment court.
“Pero sa tingin ko dito, sa hakbang na ito na ginawa ng kampo ni VP Duterte, sa tingin ko pagpigil ito para kay Mike Poa na tumestigo sa impeachment court at magsabi ng totoo,” he said.
Despite these concerns, Acidre said it remains to be seen whether Poa will choose to prioritize the truth over political considerations.
“Titignan natin kung ano ang mangingibabaw sa puso ni Atty. Mike, kung ang bayan o politika,” he added.
The impeachment trial of Duterte stems from allegations of corruption, including the misuse of confidential funds during her tenure as DepEd Secretary. Lawmakers have been pressing for transparency in how these funds were allocated and spent.
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