MANILA, Philippines — Senate presiding officer Francis Escudero on Wednesday said there was no conflict of interest for lawyer Michael Poa to be part of Vice President Sara Duterte's defense team after reportedly meeting with Commission on Audit (COA) officials during his time at the Department of Education (DepEd).
During the 13th day of the impeachment trial, Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo raised a possible conflict of interest when he noted that former COA auditor Roderick Wamil had testified that Poa was among the vice president’s aides who went to COA in 2023 regarding its audit on her use of confidential funds.
Escudero dismissed the concern, ruling that no conflict exists because Poa was appearing before the impeachment court as legal counsel for Duterte, not as the respondent himself.
"Although he served under OVP (Office of the Vice President) and DepEd, he is not named respondent. I believe there is no conflict given that he is not one in trial," Escudero said.
