Poa says Duterte did not order AFP certifications, declines to assess legality of confidential fund use

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 03, 2026

Photo courtesy: Senate of the Philippines

MANILA — Former Department of Education undersecretary Michael Poa testified that Vice President Sara Duterte did not instruct him to obtain military certifications later used by DepEd to support its response to audit findings on confidential fund spending.

During Duterte’s impeachment trial on Wednesday, Poa said he sought documents after the Commission on Audit issued an audit observation memorandum questioning DepEd’s confidential fund expenditures.

Poa said he asked then-DepEd undersecretary Nolasco Mempin to look for documents that could show successful activities linked to information obtained through confidential operations.

DepEd later secured certifications from Armed Forces of the Philippines units covering Youth Leadership Summits and information and education activities.

Poa said Duterte was not involved in requesting the certifications and was only informed after the documents had been obtained.

Senate President Win Gatchalian questioned the basis for DepEd’s claim that confidential information helped identify areas for the military activities, noting that two Army officers who testified earlier said they did not receive confidential information from DepEd.

Poa said his response to COA was based on information provided by DepEd’s special disbursing officer and on his reading of the military certifications.

He said he was told that rewards were given to individuals who provided information and that some military certifications referred to intelligence used in selecting areas for activities.

Under questioning, however, Poa acknowledged that the special disbursing officer did not tell him that he personally handed cash rewards to informers. Poa also said he did not speak directly with DepEd’s security officer about the transactions.

The two military officers who testified earlier also said they were not aware their certifications would later be used by DepEd in responding to COA findings.

Poa said he did not know what Mempin told the officers when the documents were requested.

Poa declines to judge legality of fund use

Senator-Judge Risa Hontiveros also asked Poa whether, based on what he now knows, Duterte’s use of confidential funds at DepEd and the Office of the Vice President complied with laws and government regulations.

Poa declined to answer, citing attorney-client privilege and saying any assessment from him could be viewed as biased because he is part of Duterte’s legal team.

He said the impeachment court should instead decide based on the evidence presented.

Presiding Officer Francis Escudero agreed, saying the question would require Poa to speak as Duterte’s counsel rather than as a factual witness.