Defense counsel Michael Poa testified that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte was conducted fairly, despite tense exchanges during the 21st day of the proceedings. Poa, who appeared as a hostile witness for the prosecution, emphasized the fairness of the process as the trial continued to examine allegations of misuse of the Department of Education’s resources.
Poa also confirmed that the Commission on Audit has not initiated any new investigations into the confidential funds of the Department of Education for the first two quarters of 2023. This follows previous testimony where he outlined the financial management practices under Duterte’s administration.
The trial has seen increasing scrutiny of Duterte’s handling of public funds, with witnesses providing conflicting accounts of transparency and accountability. Poa’s testimony adds to the ongoing debate over the legitimacy of the impeachment process and the accuracy of the allegations against the vice president.
The proceedings remain ongoing, with legal experts and political analysts closely watching for developments that could impact the outcome of the trial.
