Defense witness declaration marks contentious turn in Duterte impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entered its ninth week with escalating courtroom tensions as prosecutors challenged the credibility of a key defense witness. Michael Poa, who served as chief of staff during Duterte's time as education secretary, was declared a hostile witness after his testimony contradicted prosecution arguments regarding the expenditure of P112.5 million in confidential funds.

The declaration reflected deepening adversarial dynamics in the Senate impeachment court, where both sides have clashed over how discretionary education department funds were allocated and documented. Poa's dual role—as both a former departmental official and current member of Duterte's defense team—placed him at the center of competing narratives about administrative practices during her leadership of the education portfolio.

The confidential funds in question have remained a focal point of the impeachment proceedings, with prosecutors seeking to establish accountability for their disbursement. Poa's testimony on Day 21 addressed the mechanisms and justifications behind spending decisions, though his responses apparently proved contentious with the prosecution team.

The Senate impeachment trial continues to examine the financial management practices at the Department of Education during the period in question, with witness testimonies expected to shape the court's eventual determination on the charges against the Vice President.