Camille Naredo

Atty. Michael Poa during the oral arguments on the issuance of a subpoena to the Bureau of Internal Revenue to open a box containing the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte, during the sixth day of the impeachment proceedings on July 15, 2026.  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

The Senate of the Philippines, sitting as an impeachment court, listens to the oral arguments presented by the House prosecution panel—led by Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno—on the issuance of a subpoena to the Bureau of Internal Revenue to open a box containing the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte, during the sixth day of the impeachment proceedings on July 15, 2026.   Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

VP Sara Impeachment

Johnson Manabat

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178411499188920260715-senat-vp-sara-impeachment-day6-MT10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Atty. Michael Poa during the oral arguments on the issuance of a subpoena to the Bureau of Internal Revenue to open a box containing the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte, during the sixth day of the impeachment proceedings on July 15, 2026.  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Atty. Michael Poa during the oral arguments on the issuance of a subpoena to the Bureau of Internal Revenue to open a box containing the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte, during the sixth day of the impeachment proceedings on July 15, 2026.  <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Atty. Michael Poa, spokesperson for the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte, on Wednesday asserted her right to due process after the prosecution maintained that her bank and tax documents were relevant to her impeachment trial. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/15/diokno-duterte-bank-tax-records-impeachment-trial-1516">READ: Prosecution says VP Sara&#x27;s bank, tax records relevant to impeachment trial</a></div><p>In a press briefing after the court heard oral arguments, Poa said, subpoenas should be definite and clear.</p><p>“Unang-una, pagdating sa subpoena, you [need] definiteness. Ibig sabihin, [dapat] particularly described kung ano yung gusto mong i-subpoena,&quot; Poa said. &quot;Pangalawa, it has to be relevant... Kailangan natin malaman [kung] pwede ba &#x27;yung mga bagay na sina-subpoena o hindi, under our laws.&quot;</p><p>According to Poa, the due process requirement applies in every stage of the proceedings.</p><p>“Kung ibabalewala na lang natin yung mga batas natin, kailangan lang natin mag-issue ng subpoena. Nawawalan ng due process because, respondents has protection under the law. Again, hindi lang po yan sa respondent, it goes for each and everyone of us Filipinos. Basic naman po yan,” said Poa.  </p><p>“Dapat nirerespeto yung due process para sa kapakanan ng respondent,” he added.</p><p>Poa also explained that manifestations during the oral arguments should be clear and precise.</p><p>&quot;If there are conclusions of law and conclusions of facts, ang nangyayari kasi nako-condition yung publiko,&quot; he said. &quot;Siyempre, siyempre gusto natin maipaliwanag sa publiko pero ‘pag sa ganong paraan ang pakiramdam kasi ng defense eh nagkakaroon ng summation nung kaso.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Dahil doon, kino-condition natin yung publiko at yung mga senator-judges kung ano ba talaga yung ina-advocate natin.</p><p>&quot;Ang gusto lang natin, maging patas tayo na ‘pag mag-wi-withdraw tayo ng witness, we simply have to say na iwi-withdraw natin yung witness,&quot; he stressed.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/15/defense-says-subpoena-for-duterte-bank-tax-records-a-weapon-of-fishing-expedition-1531">READ: Defense says subpoena for Duterte bank, tax records a &#x27;weapon of fishing expedition&#x27;</a></div><p>Poa is not setting aside the possibility for the defense team will also withdraw witnesses if necessary, but said it is too early at this point to decide on the matter. </p><p>He emphasized that the defense respects the prerogative of the prosecution to withdraw its own witnesses.</p><p>The defense team remains ready in all the articles of impeachment against the Vice President, Poa also said, and emphasized that they will always submit to the wisdom of the impeachment court. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>IMPROMPTU SPEECH</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Poa said it was his &quot;personal preference&quot; not to read from a prepared speech during the oral arguments.</p><p>&quot;Nahihirapan po kasi ako pag nagbabsa ako. Sa regular courts, hindi rin po ako nagbabasa. It doesn’t mean na it’s better na wala kang binabasa,&quot; he said. &quot;Each lawyer has his or her own style... It&#x27;s just a matter of preference.</p><p>On Monday, Poa said that after the testimony of NBI Melvin Matibag, the defense team will be shifting to Article 1.</p>

<p>Atty. Michael Poa, spokesperson for the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, asserted her right to due process.</p>

Atty. Michael Poa, spokesperson for the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, asserted her right to due process.

Defense counsel asserts VP Duterte’s right to due process

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Defense counsel asserts VP Duterte’s right to due process

Johnson Manabat,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 15, 2026 07:31 PM PHT

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