Defense counsel Michael Wesley Poa will take the witness stand in Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial to address his involvement in the release and audit of P112.5 million in Department of Education (DepEd) confidential funds.
House impeachment team spokesperson Rep. Robert Ace Barbers stated that Poa’s testimony will be vital in clarifying how the funds were spent and audited during Duterte’s tenure as Education Secretary in 2023. The amount forms part of the P612.5 million in OVP and DepEd discretionary allocations alleged to have been misused.
As former DepEd undersecretary and chief of staff, Poa signed transmittal documents answering a Commission on Audit (COA) memorandum regarding the funds’ liquidation.
Because Poa now sits on Duterte’s legal defense team, the prosecution plans to ask the Senate impeachment court to declare him a hostile witness, the third under the confidential funds charge. Barbers added that prosecutors expect Poa’s statements to align with his prior testimony before a 2024 House panel investigation.
Poa confirmed he is ready to take the stand to address his role in responding to COA’s audit findings.