Despite wearing several hats in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial—as a member of her legal team, the defense's spokesperson, and now a potential witness for the prosecution—lawyer Michael Poa said he is ready to take the witness stand if called.

Poa, who was named by the prosecution as a witness in connection with allegations of the misuse of confidential funds during Duterte's tenure as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), said the defense anticipated his possible testimony even during the pre-trial stage.

“Yung pag-testify ko, nung pre-trial pa lang, alam na namin 'yon. It’s expected. Wala naman akong problema doon (My testifying was already known as early as the pre-trial. It was expected, and I had no problem with it),” Poa said in a press briefing on August 26.

Poa said he had already discussed his knowledge of the matter during a House committee hearing in October 2024 and expects his testimony before the impeachment court to cover many of the same issues.

“I already said my piece during the committee on good government. Basically, it will just be repetition,” he added.

Poa said he is prepared to answer questions based on his personal knowledge, particularly regarding his time at the DepEd, where he served as an undersecretary while Duterte was secretary.

The prosecution has moved to subpoena Poa to testify on allegations involving confidential funds.

Poa is also a member of Duterte's defense team and currently serves as its spokesperson. He previously served as Duterte's spokesperson and chief of staff at the DepEd.

“Basta ayon sa personal knowledge ko, sasagutin ko (As long as it is within my personal knowledge, I will answer),” Poa said, adding that he does not intend to invoke attorney-client privilege unless necessary.

He maintained that questions concerning his work at the DepEd and his participation in responding to issues raised about the department should be answered, while recognizing that the attorney-client privilege still applies to matters arising from his relationship with Duterte as her lawyer.

Poa's potential appearance as a witness adds another layer to his already complicated role in Duterte's impeachment proceedings.

Aside from serving on the Vice President's legal team, Poa has been acting as the defense's spokesperson—a responsibility that has become increasingly difficult following the impeachment court's decision to strictly enforce the sub judice rule.

Poa has said the defense is “urgently looking for another spokesperson,” acknowledging the challenge of speaking to the media without commenting on matters that could touch on the merits of the impeachment case.

He said he has discussed options with Duterte, including stepping away from either his legal or spokesperson role.

Duterte's initial preference, Poa said, was for him to remain her lawyer while the defense searches for someone else to speak for the team.

For Poa, taking the witness stand is simply another role he may have to take on as Duterte's impeachment trial moves forward.

Still, he said he has “no issue” with appearing before the impeachment court and answering questions about matters within his personal knowledge, particularly those related to his work at the DepEd.

“Nung panahon ko sa DepEd, dapat naman sagutin 'yang mga 'yan (During my time at DepEd, those matters had to be answered). I have always maintained that position,” he said.

Poa said he would answer questions based on his personal knowledge but would respect attorney-client privilege, which generally protects confidential communications between a lawyer and a client from disclosure.

“Of course, I cannot waive attorney-client [privilege]. Kung ang saklaw naman ay yung DepEd and ano ang naging partisipasyon ko—yung reply ko sa AOM [Audit Observation Memorandum]—katulad nung ginawa ko sa House, tama din naman na sagutin ko dito [sa Senate impeachment court] (But if the scope involves DepEd and my participation—such as my reply to the AOM—just as I did before the House, then it is also proper for me to respond here before the Senate impeachment court),” he added.

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https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/26/vp-sara-duterte-defense-urgently-seeks-new-spokesperson-amid-sub-judice-rule