MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Education Undersecretary Michael Wesley Poa, who now serves as spokesperson for Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team, testified Wednesday that he reported directly to Duterte and regularly received her instructions while at DepEd, but had no firsthand knowledge of how the agency’s confidential funds were operationally used.

Poa took the witness stand as a hostile prosecution witness on Day 21 of Duterte’s impeachment trial.

Private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr. questioned Poa about his authority and working relationship with Duterte while he served as DepEd spokesperson, undersecretary, chief of staff, officer-in-charge of the finance office and head of the procuring entity.

Poa confirmed that he had a direct reporting relationship with Duterte and could communicate with her without going through other department officials.

As chief of staff, Poa said he regularly gave Duterte updates and received her guidance on matters involving DepEd operations.

He also confirmed that he consulted Duterte before media interviews while serving as department spokesperson.

Poa earlier said that whenever he needed to face the media, he would message Duterte to determine what she wanted him to say. He confirmed during the impeachment trial that the statement was his.

Despite his close working relationship with Duterte, Poa maintained that he had no personal knowledge of how DepEd’s confidential funds were used on the ground.

“I don’t have personal knowledge in the operations of DepEd. So, I’m answering based on my understanding, based on what I’ve read when I was trying to study,” Poa said while discussing confidential fund requirements.

Poa also testified that his involvement in the confidential fund issue began only after DepEd received an Audit Observation Memorandum from the Commission on Audit.

He said he did not sign the original liquidation reports covering the confidential funds.

According to his testimony, the records were signed by then-special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda, Duterte as head of the agency, and an accountant.

DepEd received and used ₱112.5 million in confidential funds in 2023 while Duterte was education secretary.

The prosecution is examining who exercised control over the funds, what safeguards were put in place and how the money was actually used as part of the first Article of Impeachment against Duterte.

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