DepEd ex-spox Michael Poa joins VP Sara Duterte's legal team

Former DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa has joined Vice President Sara Duterte's legal team, raising concerns among House leaders that this move could prevent him from testifying against her during the Senate impeachment trial.

Poa previously appeared before the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability regarding allegations of misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds by Vice President Duterte.

By joining Duterte's legal team, Poa can now invoke lawyer-client confidentiality to avoid being compelled to testify against her in the Senate impeachment trial.

House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre believes this move is an attempt to deflect from the issue and suggests it may be a way to prevent Poa from revealing any truths during the trial.

Despite joining Duterte's legal team, constitutional law lecturer Antonio La Viña noted that Poa can still be compelled by subpoena to testify but not for all questions due to lawyer-client privilege.