Poa Testifies in Duterte Impeachment Trial Over Fund Misuse

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entered a critical phase on September 2, 2026, as the House prosecution panel called a key figure from the defense team, lawyer Michael Wesley Poa, to testify on the alleged misuse of confidential funds. Poa, who served as an undersecretary, chief of staff, and spokesperson for the Department of Education under Duterte, is expected to provide testimony on the disbursement of funds during her tenure as education secretary. The prosecution is presenting evidence under Article I of the impeachment complaint, which alleges the misuse, misappropriation, and irregular liquidation of P612.5 million in confidential funds.