Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Atty. Michael Poa speaks to the media to provide an update on what transpired during the pre-trial conference for the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines on June 18, 2026. Poa said the defense continues to prepare and follow due process as the impeachment court moves forward with the case. 

Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

VP SARA IMPEACHMENT- PRE TRIAL

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/178494355054420260618-vp-sara-impeachment-pre-trial-poa-MT7.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Atty. Michael Poa speaks to the media to provide an update on what transpired during the pre-trial conference for the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines on June 18, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Atty. Michael Poa speaks to the media to provide an update on what transpired during the pre-trial conference for the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines on June 18, 2026. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte&#x27;s defense team is considering appointing a spokesperson who is not part of its legal team following concerns raised by impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero.</p><p>Defense spokesperson and counsel Atty. Michael Poa said the suggestion stemmed from concerns that lawyers appearing before the impeachment court could unintentionally violate the <em>sub judice</em> rule while speaking to the media.</p><div><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">Escudero urges defense, prosecution to appoint spokesperson who won&#x27;t double as counsel</a></div><p>&quot;I don&#x27;t think we should politicize that matter. I think it was a genuine concern from the presiding officer,” he said.</p><p>Poa said Escudero pointed out that lawyers actively participating in the trial could end up discussing the merits of the case during interviews.</p><p>He said he would first consult his client, the vice president, but if forced to choose, he would likely remain part of the legal team.</p><p>&quot;Initial reaction was an inclination for me to stay on as a lawyer, rather than the other way around–the spokesperson,” he said.</p><p>&quot;Kung kailangan namin pumili, I will most probably stay as counsel. Because I have also my assignments as counsel,” he added.</p><p>Poa said the defense has yet to identify a possible replacement but is looking at someone outside the legal team.</p><p>Poa said the team has not yet started looking for one because Duterte should be comfortable with whoever would represent the defense before the media.</p><p>Until then, Poa said he will continue serving as spokesperson.</p><p>&quot;But we&#x27;ll try to look first for a spokesperson. Pero kung wala pa naman mahanap pa, ang importante ay we maintain na may kumakausap pa sa media... so I&#x27;ll remain as spokes muna,” he said.</p><p>He also underscored the importance of having a spokesperson to explain legal developments to the public.</p><p>&quot;Ang spokesperson play a vital role, lalong-lalo na, as you&#x27;ve seen in the last two weeks na medyo technical ‘yung mga nangyayari so you need someone to laymanize and simplify things,” Poa said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/22/defense-to-consult-vp-duterte-on-escudero-s-suggestion-to-change-spokespersons-poa-2156">Defense to consult Sara Duterte on Escudero’s suggestion to change spokespersons: Poa</a></div><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/21/escudero-says-impeachment-trial-suspended-next-monday-tuesday-for-sona-1938">Escudero says impeachment trial suspended next Monday, Tuesday for SONA; sets new trial schedule</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QXC6xin-A78?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Vice President Sara Duterte's defense team is considering appointing a spokesperson who is not part of its legal team following concerns raised by impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero.</p>

Vice President Sara Duterte's defense team is considering appointing a spokesperson who is not part of its legal team following concerns raised by impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

Poa prefers to 'stay as counsel' as defense weighs Escudero's advice

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Poa prefers to 'stay as counsel' as defense weighs Escudero's advice

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 25, 2026 09:47 AM PHT

|

Updated July 25, 2026 10:49 AM PHT

Read More:

Michael Poa

Sara Duterte

Impeachment trial

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