By Benny Reyes
MANILA, Philippines — Michael Poa is expected to come under close questioning as the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte turns to allegations involving P112.5 million in confidential funds spent by the Department of Education.
Poa, Duterte’s spokesperson and a former DepEd undersecretary and chief of staff, is now serving on the Vice President’s defense team. His previous involvement in the agency’s response to Commission on Audit (COA) findings has placed him among the prosecution’s important witnesses.
The Senate is expected to examine military certifications that Poa helped secure while Duterte was education secretary. The documents were later used by DepEd in addressing COA observations concerning confidential fund transactions.
Retired Col. Manaros Boransing II and Col. Magtangol Panopio are also expected to testify about the certifications and their relevance to the agency’s explanations.
House prosecution adviser Robert Ace Barbers said the prosecution would closely examine documents used to support the release and liquidation of the confidential funds, including certifications connected to youth summits held by DepEd.
During a 2024 House investigation, DepEd Undersecretary Nolasco Mempin said Poa had requested military certifications that were eventually cited in the department’s response to a COA audit observation memorandum.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V called Poa a key figure in the proceedings, saying the impeachment trial could provide an opportunity to clarify his earlier statements before the House.
Poa has indicated that he is willing to testify and would only invoke attorney-client privilege if necessary.
Meanwhile, former DepEd special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda, who was scheduled to testify about the P112.5 million transactions, has had his appearance moved to Sept. 7 after suffering a stroke.
The prosecution is expected to focus on how the funds were released, documented and justified.