DEFENSE counsel Michael Poa has temporarily stepped aside as spokesperson for Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal team in the impeachment trial, following his designation as a prosecution witness.
Fellow counsel Justin Nicol Gular made the announcement on Tuesday, explaining that proper court etiquette and decorum require Poa to relinquish his spokesperson role once he is set to take the witness stand. “Considering that Atty. Michael Poa will be put on the witness stand before the impeachment court, common etiquette dictates that he step aside from serving as the defense team’s spokesperson,” Gular stated. The House prosecution panel is scheduled to call Poa as a witness on Wednesday.
Gular, who will serve as deputy spokesperson in the interim, confirmed that the defense team has ceased direct communication with Poa and that he is no longer staying in the defense holding room — measures intended to uphold the integrity of the proceedings and avoid any appearance of witness coaching. “We respect the impeachment process, and we have had no communication with him since his status as a witness was disclosed,” Gular added.
Addressing public sentiment regarding the defense’s decision to decline cross‑examination of AFP witness Colonel Manaros Boransing II, Gular clarified that the move was simply a legal judgment call.
“If we do not see any issue as to the testimony of the witness, lawyers sometimes do not conduct cross‑examination,” he explained. He urged the public to be patient with the pace and tone of the trial, noting that “there are days that some may describe as ‘boring,’ and days that are heated — this is how the process truly unfolds.” Gular emphasized that the defense is not deliberately making the proceedings appear dull or theatrical, but rather adhering to proper legal procedure.
metrosundaily
