Poa says he reported directly to Duterte despite lack of firsthand knowledge on confidential funds

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 02, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines

PHILIPPINES – Former Department of Education Undersecretary Michael Wesley Poa testified that he reported directly to then-Education Secretary Sara Duterte, received her guidance on department operations and consulted her before media interviews.

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

During questioning by private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr., Poa confirmed that he had direct access to Duterte and regularly provided her with updates while serving as DepEd chief of staff.

Poa also acknowledged that Duterte provided guidance on his work as the department’s spokesperson. He confirmed an earlier statement before Congress that he would message Duterte to know what she wanted him to say during media interviews.

The prosecution, however, focused on Poa’s claim that despite his senior positions and close working relationship with Duterte, he had no firsthand knowledge of how DepEd’s confidential funds were operationally used.

Poa said his involvement in the confidential-fund issue only began after the Commission on Audit issued an Audit Observation Memorandum concerning the agency’s use of the funds.

He also testified that he did not sign the original liquidation reports for the confidential funds. Among those who signed the documents were former special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda, Duterte as head of agency and an accountant.

DepEd received PHP112.5 million in confidential funds in 2023 while Duterte was education secretary, with Duterte signing the corresponding liquidation reports as head of the agency.

The prosecution is seeking to establish who exercised control over the funds, what safeguards were imposed and how the money was ultimately used.

Poa’s testimony places renewed focus on Duterte’s role as head of DepEd while also raising questions over how the confidential funds were managed within the agency.

As a former senior official describes direct access to Duterte but no firsthand knowledge of the money’s actual use, the impeachment trial is zeroing in on who really controlled the confidential funds.