‘Abogadong walang alam’ triggers prosecution, defense clash, struck off the record

September 2, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

The prosecution and the defense had an early tussle in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial as lead defense counsel Sheila Sison objected to the phrase “abogadong walang alam” used by private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr.

Tolosa had mentioned the phrase as he presented defense counsel Michael Poa as a hostile witness in relation to the confidential funds of the Department of Education.

Poa previously served as spokesperson for Duterte and as Chief of Staff, Undersecretary, and officer in charge for finance of the Department of Education when Duterte headed the agency.

Sison said it was not proper to use the phrase “abogadong walang alam” in relation to Poa, whether inside or outside the impeachment court.

Tolosa said he used the phrase in the context of Poa saying in the House of Representatives that he knew nothing about the use and liquidation of the DepEd’s confidential funds.

But he also apologized to Poa if he offended him, saying it was not his intention.

Sison replied that Tolosa could have chosen other words.

“If that was his explanation, he could have simply said that the witness has no personal knowledge and that would have been more respectful and more apt if that was the intention as he had said,” she said.

Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero struck the phrase “abogadong walang alam” from the record.

“Chair finds it discourteous, to say the least, and should not be used in relation to a fellow lawyer, especially,” he said.