POA TAKES THE WITNESS STAND AS SARA DUTERTE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL ENTERS DAY 21

MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Education (DepEd) chief of staff and Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense counsel Atty. Michael Poa is set to take the witness stand on Wednesday, September 2, as the Senate impeachment court continues the trial against the Vice President.

Poa is being presented as a witness for the House prosecution, placing him in an unusual position as he temporarily steps away from his role as part of Duterte’s defense team. His testimony is expected to focus on matters involving the disbursement and use of confidential funds at the DepEd during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary.

Poa has also been described by lawmakers as a central figure in the proceedings because of his previous role at the DepEd and his familiarity with the agency’s operations during Duterte’s tenure.

His appearance comes a day after two Philippine Army officers testified about certifications connected to DepEd’s use of ₱112.5 million in confidential funds in 2023. The officers denied that the Army received funds from Duterte’s DepEd office for activities cited in the liquidation of the confidential funds.

Because Poa is now a prosecution witness, Duterte’s defense said he has temporarily stepped aside from his duties as defense spokesperson and has been separated from the defense team’s holding area in accordance with his status as a witness.

The impeachment trial has now reached its 21st day and entered its ninth week. The proceedings began on July 6, 2026, with the Senate sitting as an impeachment court. The court had earlier approved a total of 92 trial days, allocating 62 days for the prosecution and 30 days for the defense.

As Poa takes the stand, attention now turns to what his testimony may reveal about the handling of confidential funds and other issues central to the impeachment case against Vice President Duterte.