Atty. Michael Poa has temporarily stepped down from his position as the spokesperson for Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal defense team as he prepares to take the stand as a witness in the ongoing impeachment trial.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, defense deputy spokesperson Atty. Justin Nicol Gular noted that stepping aside adheres to proper legal protocol, given that the House prosecution panel plans to call Poa to testify.
“For the defense team, it is only proper that Atty. Poa, na isasalang sa impeachment court, common etiquette and proper decorum dictate that we respect the impeachment court and he needs to, at the moment, step aside from serving as the Defense Team Spokesperson. Kaya ako, bilang deputy lang muna,” Gular explained.
Gular emphasized that the temporary leave preserves the integrity and credibility of the trial procedures, noting that Poa is currently waiting on deck to be called.
“He is on deck. He will possibly be the witness. Out of respect of the impeachment proceeding and to ensure the integrity of the proceedings, we, Atty. Poa, saw it fit that hindi muna siyang magsasalita for the defense,” Gular added.
The defense panel is currently evaluating candidates to take over the spokesperson role on a permanent basis.
“The new spokesperson is still being considered and being talked about between the defense team and the client, the Vice President,” Gular stated.
An official announcement regarding the final decision will be shared with the public and news organizations once finalized, either through Poa or Duterte herself.