Why was there a misunderstanding between Michael Poa and Paolo Panelo?

ALL'S WELL. Lawyers Michael Poa and Paolo Panelo post for a photo together.

Paolo Panelo/Facebook

'Just to set the record straight, I didn't agree with him on anything as to lokohan (clownery) or anything like that,' Poa says

AT A GLANCE

• A misunderstanding occurred between Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment defense counsel Michael Poa and spokesperson Paolo Panelo regarding comments on impeachment proceedings.
• Panelo suggested that the impeachment process had become a joke, which Poa rejected, asserting he did not agree with Panelo's statements and felt offended by being associated with them.
• Despite the disagreement, Poa expressed a desire to maintain a good relationship with Panelo, who acknowledged the misunderstanding and assured it would not happen again.

This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors.

Apparently, there was a small misunderstanding between two lawyers working for Vice President Sara Duterte.

Impeachment defense counsel Michael Poa and Duterte’s newly appointed spokesperson Paolo Panelo were in disagreement over a remark related to impeachment proceedings.

It was prompted by Panelo’s reaction to the Senate impeachment court’s ruling that changed the voting threshold for conviction.

“Hindi ako covered ng sub judice, baka nag-iingat din si Attorney Poa. No’ng nag-usap naman kami kanina parang agree kami doon sa nangyari na lokohan lang ‘to, lokohan na ‘tong nangyayari, at kaya nga sila posibleng umakyat sa Korte Suprema,” the spokesperson for Duterte said on September 23.

(I am not covered by sub judice rule, and maybe Attorney Poa is being careful. When we talked earlier, it seemed we were in agreement that all of these proceedings have become a joke, these are all buffoonery, and that’s why they might go to the Supreme Court.)

But Poa, speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, September 29, rejected Panelo’s statements as untrue.

“That’s not true…. Just to set the record straight, I didn’t agree with him on anything as to lokohan (clownery) or anything like that,” Poa said.

“So, well, I will just leave it at that. You know, he’s the spokesperson of the Vice President, but I will not allow my name to be dragged into something na wala naman akong kinalaman (that I did not take part in),” he added.

Poa clarified that he defended himself because they are officers of the court, whether or not they agree with the tribunal’s decisions. Besides, there are legal remedies always available to their client at the end of the day.

But how did Poa feel? Did he feel offended by Panelo’s action?

“To be honest, yes. Well, because I don’t appreciate my name being dragged into something that I have nothing to do with to begin with. I think it was also in response to a question from one of us here. And I think there was no need to even drag my name into that,” the defense spokesperson explained.

“So, but having said that, you know, sa akin (for me), I’m just focused on the impeachment. He’s the spokesperson of the Vice President. He’s free to say whatever he wants. But, and that, you know, I hope that doesn’t destroy our relationship because okay naman dapat (it should be okay),” he added.

The defense team’s spokesperson declined to directly address Panelo’s alleged reason for making the remarks, saying he accepted his explanation.

Yet Poa clarified that he maintains a good relationship with Panelo despite the misunderstanding. The latter supposedly told him that it won’t happen again.

“All’s well that ends well!” Panelo said in his Facebook post showing a photo of him with Poa. – Rappler.com