Atty. Michael Poa has temporarily set aside his role as counsel and spokesperson for Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team as he is set to take the witness stand before the Senate impeachment court.
Atty. Justin Nicol Gular, who serves as the deputy spokesperson for Duterte’s defense team in her impeachment trial, said Poa himself opted to temporarily step away out of respect to the impeachment court.
‘I think for the defense team, it’s just proper that considering that Atty. Michael Poa ay isasalang po sa impeachment court, common etiquette and property quorum dictates that we respect the impeachment court, and he needs to at the moment, step aside from serving as the defense team spokesperson,’ said Gular in a press conference.
In fact, Gular said he and the other defense lawyers last spoke with Poa on Aug. 26, after which both sides opted not to meet to avoid accusations of witness tampering following the prosecution’s decision to call him as a witness.
‘That’s the reason why, if you notice, Atty. Michael Poa is not in court, meaning wala siya sa side ng defense,’ said Gular.
‘And he is also not in our holding room, the one that the public does not see. Nasa ano po siya, kung saan po yung regular witness (he is where regular witnesses are held),’ he added.
However, Gular clarified that Poa’s absence is not permanent, stating that he will be back after taking the witness stand.
New spokesperson? No decision yet
‘I think this is still being considered and talked about between the defense team and of course the client, the vice president,’ said Gular when asked if the defense has already found a separate spokesperson outside the legal team itself.
‘But I’m pretty sure naman, if may mapipili na kami o may makikita na kami (once we pick someone), if that time comes, Atty. Michael Poa or the vice president herself will inform the media of this matter,’ he added.
Talks of having a new spokesperson began after presiding officer and Senator-Judge Francis Escudero implemented a stricter application of the court’s sub judice rules.