Poa: Too early to discuss calling VP Duterte as witness in impeachment

MANILA, Philippines — Defense counsel and spokesperson Michael Poa said on Monday that it was too early to discuss whether the defense would call Vice President Sara Duterte to testify in her impeachment trial.

He made the statement before the defense team began presenting its evidence-in-chief on the 40th day of Duterte’s trial, when asked whether the vice president would finally face the Senate impeachment court.

“It’s still too early to talk about that. It’s just the first day of our presentation,” Poa told reporters in an interview at the Senate.

Article continues after this advertisement

WATCH: With 30 trial days allotted for the defense, Atty. Michael Poa said it does not intend to delay the impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte. #VPonTrial | @keithcINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/ckA4Jo4Ibs Watch our livestream here: https://t.co/kwc0l7XgC3 https://t.co/mOSw4nR8kS

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) November 9, 2026

Asked how many days the defense would need for its presentation, Poa said the 30-day period it initially stated in its pretrial brief still stood.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

He also said the defense team hoped to “produce as many witnesses to debunk” the allegations against the vice president during that period without unnecessarily prolonging the proceedings.

LIVE UPDATES: Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Nov. 9, 2026

Meanwhile, House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro reiterated the prosecution’s call for Duterte to testify before the impeachment court.

“The allegations are serious, the evidence is strong. The lone witness who can completely address allegations is no less than the respondent vice president. We look forward to that,” Luistro told reporters in an interview at the Senate.

Article continues after this advertisement

The defense team has also asked the court to subpoena more than 20 witnesses from Monday to Friday this week.

On Monday, the defense presented its first witness, Davao City Assessor Jaime Adalin, to testify on matters relating to the Matina Crossing property, which the prosecution alleged Duterte failed to declare in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).

Article continues after this advertisement

Impeachment Article II is the only allegation the defense needs to counter.

It covers allegations that Duterte amassed unexplained wealth, failed to fully and truthfully disclose her assets, liabilities and net worth in her SALNs, and failed to divest her business interests during her tenure as vice president. /mcm