Atty. Michael Poa, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s Lawyer, Believes Issue on 16-Vote Threshold in Impeachment Must Be Discussed Early
SARA DUTERTE’S LAWYER – Atty Michael Poa stressed that “the Constitution is clear” with regards to the 16-vote threshold in impeachment.
The House of Representatives has impeached Vice Pres. Sara Duterte for the second time after two (2) impeachment complaints were found substantial in form, substance, and grounds by the House Committee on Justice. Several grounds were raised against the Vice President.
In the third impeachment complaint filed against Duterte which is one of the two (2) impeachment raps that were found substantial in substance, form, and grounds, here are the grounds raised against the Vice President:
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in amassing and converting the amount over PHP 500 million confidential funds (CF) allocated to the Office of the Vice President from 2022 to 2023
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in amassing and converting the amount of not less than PHP 112.5 million of confidential funds allocated to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the year 2023
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust by corrupting and bribing officials of the DepEd
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in contracting to murder or assassinate the president, the first lady, and the former speaker of the House
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust in amassing unexplained wealth and failing to disclose all her properties and interests in properties in her SALN
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust in committing acts of political destabilization and the high crimes of sedition and insurrection
The impeachment proceedings in the Senate has already started. Currently, the Filipino people awaits on who might be the presiding officer of the impeachment court following the recent change in the leadership in the upper chamber.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected as Senate president. Following a leadership feud with former Senate Pres. Alan Peter Cayetano, Gatchalian was elected as Senate chief but some majority senators said that it might be Sen. Chiz Escudero who will be the presiding officer.
Sen. Ping Lacson previously cited the experience of Sen. Chiz Escudero in impeachment. He is also a lawyer. Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s lawyer, Atty. Michael Poa, was previously asked about Escudero presiding the impeachment trial and he stressed that there is still no finality or word from the chamber on who might take on the role.
Based on News5, in an interview with Ted Failon for 105.9 FM, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s lawyer was asked about the issue on the 16-vote threshold in impeachment. Atty. Michael Poa stressed that “the Constitution is clear” about it.
While he did not categorically state their side, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s lawyer believes that the issue on the 16-vote threshold must be discussed early on when the impeachment court convenes.
“Para sa akin po, oo siyempre that will be part of the ground rules, eh, so dapat alam kaagad namin sa parte ng depensa kung ano ba talaga ang magiging threshold… Meron din talaga kaming posisyon diyan, ayaw lang naming ilahad. I’m sure you can read between the lines. The Constitution is clear,” Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s lawyer said.
During the interview, Atty. Michael Poa recognized that the Senate has yet to speak on the 16-vote threshold issue with regards to impeachment. Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s lawyer admitted his side that it should be discussed early on.
“Hintayin lang natin ‘yung Senate sitting as an impeachment court magbigay nung pronouncement. Pero dun sa tanong niyo po, definitely dapat po sa aking pananaw mapag-usapan kaagad ‘yan kaysa sa gitna na natin mapag-usapan ‘yan at baka magkaroon pa ng problema,” he expressed.
Recently, the camp of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also claimed that she is ready to attend the impeachment pre-trial if her attendance is necessary.