This report is part of Inquirer’s special coverage of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment proceedings. For real-time updates, follow our live coverage of the impeachment.
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense counsel and former Department of Education (DepEd) chief of staff Michael Poa is set to take the witness stand on Wednesday, Sept. 2, as the House prosecution panel continues presenting evidence in the impeachment trial.
- Poa will be called by the prosecution to testify on the DepEd’s use of confidential funds during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary from 2022 to 2024.
- His testimony is expected to focus on the department’s disbursement of P112.5 million in confidential funds, including P15 million reportedly used to help fund Armed Forces of the Philippines Youth Leadership Summits.
- Poa cannot yet be formally designated as a hostile witness. Such a designation may come only after he has been formally presented by the prosecution and takes the stand before the impeachment court.
- Poa’s testimony will be followed by Philippine Statistics Authority Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande.
READ: ICYM: Sara Duterte impeachment trial Week 8 highlights
The prosecution called Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense counsel and former DepEd Chief of Staff Michael Poa to the witness stand as it presented its case on Article I, which alleges the misuse of confidential funds. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ Follow our live updates… pic.twitter.com/foKCtb7Lot
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 2, 2026
DAY 21: The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumes on Wednesday, September 2.A quorum has been declared, with 17 senator-judges present. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/58nKqYKwcyWatch our livestream here:… pic.twitter.com/88h9KwHau8
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 2, 2026
In an effort to hasten the proceedings, Rep. Joel Chua says the prosecution is considering skipping the presentation of the bribery allegations against VP Duterte & instead proceed with Article II, which concerns Duterte’s alleged amassing of unexplained wealth. #VPonTrial |… pic.twitter.com/STmkJWaKCn
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 2, 2026
‘I WILL BASICALLY BE NARRATING WHAT I KNOW’
Defense counsel and former DepEd chief-of-staff Atty. Michael Poa, who will testify as prosecution witness on Wednesday, answers questions from the media ahead of the 21st day of VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. #VPonTrial |… pic.twitter.com/8zGGCXPyMn
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 2, 2026
Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense counsel and former Department of Education (DepEd) Chief of Staff Michael Poa is scheduled to testify on Wednesday, September 2. #VPonTrial
READ MORE: https://t.co/CE1oObw8mT pic.twitter.com/6w2k7o9vAD
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 2, 2026
VP Trial Day 21: Defense lawyer Michael Poa to testify in impeachment court
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