Marilyn Cahatol

The Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, examines the testimony of National Bureau of Investigation-BARMM Regional Director Jeremy Lontoc as defense lawyers and senator-judges probe the legal and factual interpretation of “grave threats” and “inciting to sedition” under Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. Meanwhile, the House prosecution panel informed the impeachment court that it would no longer present Duterte’s chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez, and Legislative Security Bureau Executive Director Belinda Bello as witnesses. Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit

Article (news)

VP Sara Impeachment

Katrina Domingo

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/178472746905120260709-senate-impeachment-day5-SSMU-WA-40.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, examines the testimony of National Bureau of Investigation-BARMM Regional Director Jeremy Lontoc as defense lawyers and senator-judges probe the legal and factual interpretation of “grave threats” and “inciting to sedition” under Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. <em>Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte has yet to decide whether to heed Presiding Officer Francis Escudero’s suggestion <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/22/escudero-to-defense-prosecution-appoint-spox-who-won-t-double-as-counsel-1808">to name new spokespersons</a> who have no direct participation in her impeachment trial, Defense Spokesperson Michael Poa said on Wednesday.</p><p>Before the adjournment of the ninth day of Duterte’s impeachment trial, Escudero asked the prosecution and the defense if they wanted to “consider to have a freer hand by nominating a spokesperson who is not limited by the rules of the impeachment court,” noting that Poa and his prosecution counterpart, Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr., are also registered as trial lawyers.</p><p>“It&#x27;s something that I will have to consult the client about. I&#x27;ll have to consult the vice president if that is something that she will be amenable to,” Poa told reporters.</p><p>“This is something that I cannot decide by myself. It will be something that I will have to talk to the vice president about and hear her thoughts on the matter,” he said.</p><p>Poa said he has yet to decide whether he prefers to stay on as a trial lawyer or as spokesperson.</p><p>“The pro would at least be I will be able to focus more on either the legal or the spokesperson work depending on what the vice president would want. The cons would probably be my familiarity already with all of you, your familiarity with me and of course my familiarity with the client,” he said.</p><p>“Probably another con would be yung, syempre, kung may spokesperson na hindi part ng legal team per se, meaning hindi direct na magpa-participate sa aming discussions, I will also have to manage that aspect,” he said.</p><p>“Siyempre, you will also have to in a way, brief the spokesperson on what&#x27;s going on and what he or she can say and cannot say so yun yung tricky part talaga if we&#x27;re talking about spokespersons kasi you&#x27;ll have to manage another person also aside from managing the legal tasks,” he added.</p><p>Poa has previously served as Duterte’s chief of staff and spokesperson during their stint at the Department of Education and his subsequent resignation from the second-in-command’s public office.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/5/who-will-defend-vp-sara-in-the-impeachment-trial-get-to-know-her-lawyers-1127">Who will defend VP Sara in the impeachment trial? Get to know her lawyers</a></div><p>“Right now, I think ako naman, I&#x27;ll just do whatever the Vice President instructs if she gets mentioned,” he said.</p><p>“I cannot say for sure, but I&#x27;m more of a lawyer, as you know. Even when I joined DepEd before, I was really more comfortable with the legal rather than spokesperson duties, but again, it doesn&#x27;t matter,” he said.</p><p>“At the end of the day, whatever she thinks is best and whatever I can do to contribute to help this impeachment proceeding, I&#x27;m willing to do either.”</p><p>Meanwhile, Poa confirmed that there was an administrative meeting between the Office of the Vice President and the Senate, but noted that he was not privy if details of the reported request for the legislative body to shoulder the food expenses of Duterte’s camp during the trial was tackled.</p><p>“Nagkaroon ng pagpupulong I think between Secretary Bandug and the OVP… Ang kinuusap ko was a staff and ang sabi lang sa akin was administrative yung naging pagpupulong and aside from that wala na akong details kung napayagan or kung ano yung mga naging parameters na pinag-usapan,” he said.</p><p>“I can confirm na wala namang pinapayagan yata na ganoon as far as I know,” he said when asked if the Senate has granted the request.</p><p>Duterte’s camp also declined to comment on criticisms against the<a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/21/sara-duterte-on-overseas-trip-as-impeachment-trial-enters-day-8-1526"> Vice President’s overseas trips</a> during her impeachment trial.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hmm8snuH4OQ?si=3McTP-f4FoEWVTH-" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Vice President Sara Duterte has yet to decide whether to heed Presiding Officer Francis Escudero’s suggestion to name new spokespersons who have no direct participation in her impeachment trial, Defense Spokesperson Michael Poa said on Wednesday.</p>

Vice President Sara Duterte has yet to decide whether to heed Presiding Officer Francis Escudero’s suggestion to name new spokespersons who have no direct participation in her impeachment trial, Defense Spokesperson Michael Poa said on Wednesday.

Defense to consult Sara Duterte on Escudero’s suggestion to change spokespersons: Poa

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Defense to consult Sara Duterte on Escudero’s suggestion to change spokespersons: Poa

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 22, 2026 09:56 PM PHT

Read More:

Sara Duterte

Sara Duterte impeachment trial

Francis Escudero

Michael Poa

Benjamin Tolosa Jr.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.