Poa faces questions on P112.5-M DepEd secret funds

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s spokesperson could emerge as a pivotal witness when the Senate impeachment trial enters its ninth week on Tuesday, as prosecutors turn to the paper trail behind the alleged misuse of P112.5 million in confidential funds at the Department of Education (DepEd).

Michael Poa, now also one of Duterte’s defense lawyers, is expected to face questions about military certifications he helped obtain for DepEd, where Duterte served as secretary for two years until June 2024.

Poa will be called to the witness stand after retired Col. Manaros Boransing II and Col. Magtangol Panopio, who are expected to shed light on certifications cited by DepEd in responding to Commission on Audit (COA) findings.

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House prosecution adviser Robert Ace Barbers said prosecutors would examine certifications used to justify fund releases, including those tied to youth summits organized by DepEd.

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READ: Barbers calls for longer hours for Duterte impeachment trial

Why Poa matters

The House prosecution team views Poa, who also served as an undersecretary and chief of staff at DepEd, as crucial because he figured in the agency’s response to the audit findings.

During a 2024 House inquiry, DepEd Undersecretary Nolasco Mempin testified that Poa requested military certifications for the agency’s response to a COA audit observation memorandum.

READ: ICYMI: Sara Duterte impeachment trial Week 8 highlights

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Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V described Poa as a “central figure” in the impeachment case, saying the Senate proceedings could clarify his earlier statements.

“His statements to the good government [committee] when he was a resource person are still incomplete … Now we are in the impeachment court and I believe this is the proper forum to clarify the questions,” Ortega said in Filipino.

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Poa said last week he was ready to testify and did not intend to invoke attorney-client privilege unless necessary. Ortega said prosecutors were prepared for whatever Poa might say or invoke.

“He is the mouth of the Vice President and you cannot speak, you cannot defend, you cannot honor your words if you don’t know … all the details and you don’t know the whole process. That’s how important he is to the trial,” Ortega said.

Poa’s testimony could help establish who sought the military certifications, why they were obtained and how they were used to support the release and liquidation of confidential funds. 

Fajarda sidelined

The prosecution’s original witness for the DepEd transactions, special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda, will not testify Tuesday after suffering a stroke. His appearance has been reset to Sept. 7.

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Fajarda was supposed to testify on his role in disbursing and liquidating P112.5 million in confidential funds from the first to third quarters of 2023. /cb