MANILA, Philippines — Tempers flared at the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday when the lead counsel for the Defense objected to the prosecution's characterization of its colleague as a "lawyer who knows nothing."
Michael Poa took the witness stand on the 21st day of the trial as a "hostile witness" for the prosecution to testify on the alleged misuse of confidential funds by the Department of Education (DepEd) when Duterte was secretary and he was undersecretary.
Poa told reporters before taking the witness stand that he would just say "whatever I know."
Poa also said he had requested to stay in a separate holding room from the defense team since Tuesday “for propriety’s sake” to avoid any perception of impropriety.
During the hearing, Sison took particular issue with the remark of House prosecution lawyer Jay Tolosa Jr., arguing that Poa, while obligated to answer relevant questions as a witness, remained entitled to protection from irrelevant, improper and insulting questions under the rules of evidence.
Tolosa defended the remark, however, explaining that it referred to Poa’s repeated statements before Congress that he knew nothing about the use and liquidation of confidential funds.
“There was never any intention on my part to insult you in any way. We have to take this in context,” Tolosa said, adding that if the remark offended Poa, he was sorry.
Sison pointed out that the prosecution could have simply described Poa as having no personal knowledge of the matter, which she argued would have been more respectful and appropriate.
The defense further challenged portions of the prosecution’s offer of evidence, including claims that a Commission on Audit credit notice “cured nothing” and that “every road leads to the VP,” arguing that these were conclusions or rhetoric rather than facts to be established through evidence.
Presiding Officer Francis Escudero ultimately ordered the “lawyer who knows nothing” remark stricken from the record, calling it “discourteous, to say the least,” before declaring Poa a hostile witness.
