House Leader Raises “Lawyer-Client Confidentiality” over Atty. Michael Poa Joining VP Sara Duterte’s Legal Team
House leader and Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre reacted to Atty. Michael Poa joining the legal team of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is proposed to commence on July 30 based on the timeline issued by the office of Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero. However, currently, there is a pending petition filed by the Vice President challenging the constitutionality of the fourth impeachment case filed against her.
Two-thirds of the lawmakers in the House of Representatives approved the impeachment of the Vice President. In a petition she filed seeking the nullification of the fourth impeachment case against her, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte has her father, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, as one of her lawyers.
Recently, the former spokesman of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, Attorney Michael Poa, also joined her legal team in the petition filed before the Supreme Court. The high court’s Office of the Spokesperson confirmed that Poa has filed his entry of appearance as co-counsel for the Vice President.
The decision of the camp of Duterte earned different reactions from people in the House of Representatives. Based on a report on GMA News, House leader and Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre believes that it is another attempt to deflect. He also claimed that Duterte’s camp could allegedly hide under the “lawyer-client confidentiality”.
“Well, ako kung ako tatanungin, medyo inaasahan ko na rin na gagawing kasama ng legal team si Atty. Mike Poa kasi sa totoo lang ho, pwede po silang magtago principle ng lawyer-client confidentiality. Makikita po natin ang isa na namang attempt to deflect,” the House Leader said.
Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre further expressed his belief that Poa joining Duterte’s legal team is allegedly a step to prevent him from testifying in the impeachment trial and speaking the truth.
Previously, the brother of the Vice President and Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte expressed his confidence that VP Sara can get through the impeachment battle citing her strong legal team. The Davao Mayor also claimed that his sister seems “unbothered” by the issues.