The Senate, sitting as an Impeachment Court, officially designated Atty. Michael Poa—a key lawyer, assistant, and adviser to Vice President Sara Duterte—as a hostile witness on Wednesday, September 2.
Taking the stand on the 21st day of the trial, Poa became the third individual to receive the classification.
The presiding officers based the ruling on his current position within the Office of the Vice President alongside his former duties in the Department of Education under Duterte’s leadership.
Presiding Officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero formally announced the court’s decision during the session.
“The Impeachment court…deems that the witness, is a hostile witness…in that he is one of the trusted lawyers, advisers of the Vice President,” Escudero declared.
Escudero clarified that the ruling alters the ground rules for the prosecution’s cross-examination.
“Therefore, this will give Atty. Tolosa the right to ask leading questions, but again as a reminder, not to ask misleading questions,” he stated.
In the same session, Escudero ordered the removal of the prosecution’s remark referring to Poa as an “abogadong walang alam” from the official record.
“The Chair finds it discourteous to say the least, and should not be used to a fellow lawyer especially,” Escudero remarked.
The strike-order followed an objection raised by defense counsel Atty. Sheila Sison, who sought to expunge the remark. Responding to the objection, prosecution lawyer Atty. Tolosa clarified that the phrase referenced Poa’s prior statements before Congress.
“When I said ‘abogadong walang alam,’ what I mean is that in Congress, he repeatedly said he knew totally nothing about the use and liquidation of the confidential funds. Context is very important, but nonetheless, if I offended you, in any way sir, I’m very sorry for that. That is not my intention,” Tolosa said, directly addressing Poa.
When Escudero questioned the necessity of calling a witness who claimed to lack relevant knowledge, Tolosa explained the prosecution’s strategy.
“Precisely, the reason why we want him to testify your honor. Why is it that the Vice President tasked one of her trusted aides to respond to the AOMs (Audit Observation Memorandum) issued by the COA (Commission on Audit), when he confessed he knew nothing about it. That is very material,” Tolosa emphasized.