Ridon’s tip to defense: Don’t remove Poa, he’s the best you have

MANILA, Philippines — It will be a loss for Vice President Sara Duterte if lawyer Michael Poa will be the one sacrificed after an internal squabble, as he is the most capable and kindest member of the defense panel, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said on Wednesday.

Ridon, a member of the public prosecution team, was asked in a press brifing if he feels Poa is out of place in the defense panel as they always hold Poa in high regard compared to other Duterte lawyers.

“Well siya na nga ‘yong pinaka-magaling do’n eh, siya na ‘yong pinaka-mabait do’n.  So tingin ko, I think it will serve the vice president well for him to continue being part of the defense,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Poa belies Panelo claim on ‘farce’ Senate impeachment court ruling

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

(Well he is the most capable of the lawyers there, he is also the kindest.  So I think it will serve the vice president well for him to continue being part of the defense.)

The question was raised after Ridon and other lawmakers supportive of the prosecution were quizzed about the seemingly internal discord between Poa and Duterte spokesperson Atty. Paolo Panelo Jr.

On Wednesday, Poa denied sharing the views of Panelo, who said that the impeachment court’s ruling allowing a lower minimum number of votes for conviction was mere nonsense.

According to Poa, he has always “maintained respect for the court” and that he believes that any disagreement with the Senate Impeachment Court would be resolved through petitions.

Article continues after this advertisement

Ridon, meanwhile, asked whether members of Duterte’s camp do not have a group chat as Poa’s opinions were way different from what Panelo said.

“You know, in so many words and with respect to Michael Poa of course, wala ba silang GC?  ‘Di ba?  I don’t think it serves the defense well kung nagbabarahan sila in the full view of the public,” he noted.

Article continues after this advertisement

(You know, in so many words and with respect to Michael Poa of course, don’t they have any GC?  Right?  I don’t think it serves the defense well if they contradict each other in the full view of the public.)

On the other hand, prosecution spokesperson Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega said that the differences between Poa and Panelo’s behavior are evident.

“I think the position of Atty. Poa is because he’s been part of the defense, panel of the respondent, so he’s more cautious, careful about describing anything that would insult the integrity of the court.  So naintindihan natin ‘yong position niya, that’s why hindi siya nag-agree sa mga gano’ng utterances,” Alonto Adiong said.

(I think the position of Atty. Poa is because he’s been part of the defense, panel of the respondent, so he’s more cautious, careful about describing anything that would insult the integrity of the court.  So we understand his position, that’s why he does not agree with such utterances.)

“Well contrasting ‘yong personalities kasi nila eh, like kami, may interaction kami with Atty. Michael Poa, talagang halata mo na nangingibabaw ‘yong paggalang niya sa korte, saka kung anumang proceedings ang ginaganap, eh ‘yong isa medyo ah eh, parang iba rin ‘yong approach,” Ortega added.

(Well their personalities are contrasting, because like us, we have interactions with Atty. Michael Poa, it is evident that his respect for the court takes precedence, whatever happens to the proceedings, but the other one seems to have a different approach.)

This is not the first time that members of the prosecution team praised Poa for his demeanor inside and outside the court.  Even Presiding Officer and Senator-Judge Francis Escudero praised Poa and public prosecutor and Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno for engaging in discussions through a gentle and respectful manner, during the oral arguments on the request to subpoena Duterte’s bank records.

After the oral arguments, Poa was seen approaching Diokno to shake his hand.

READ: Escudero lauds Poa, Diokno for ‘calm’ oral arguments on VP’s tax records 

Ridon also noted that there was no drama when it was Poa conducting the cross-examination for the defense side — referring to heightened tensions between counsel for the prosecution Lorna Kapunan and counsel for the respondent Kristine Ferrer last August 12.

Poa was also the defense counsel who cross-examined state auditor Roderick Wamil.  He made objections during the course of Kapunan’s direct examination of Wamil — like when Kapunan poked fun at the names who signed acknowledgment receipts for the confidential expenses made by Duterte’s offices.

Despite the objection, tensions did not rise between Kapunan and Poa, with the brief exchanges even providing a light moment between the two litigators.

Then last August 21, Ridon said he will coordinate with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to check on the social media posts which used fake quotes attributed to lawyer Michael Poa where he seemed to criticize the lawmaker.

A social media quote card from Facebook page Central Luzon News Update claimed that Poa called out Ridon by saying that empty cans are usually the loudest.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

But Poa has debunked the fake quote, stressing that he has never made any disrespectful statement against the prosecution and has always remained respectful toward opposing parties in the impeachment proceedings. /mr