Poa distances self from VP spox’s criticism of Impeachment Court; Panelo says ‘all’s well’

September 30, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Lawyer Paolo Panelo, Vice President Sara Duterte’s spokesperson, said all is well between him and defense counsel Michael Poa after the latter denied agreeing with Panelo’s criticism of the Impeachment Court.

Panelo criticized the impeachment proceedings as “lokohan” or a farce after the court voted on how to interpret the two-thirds requirement for conviction. Panelo claimed that Poa shared his view.

But Poa said he never agreed with Panelo on this and was “offended” by what he had insinuated.

“Just to set the record straight, I didn’t agree with him on anything as to lokohan or anything like that. I’ve always maintained candor with all of you. I’ve always maintained respect to the court,” he said.

He said that if there is any disagreement with the court, the defense would not do it through the media, but through the Supreme Court.

“I will not allow my name to be dragged into something na wala naman akong kinalaman,” he said.

He said he informed Panelo about his displeasure about being dragged into the statement, and the latter assured him it won’t happen again.

On Facebook, Panelo posted a photo of him with Poa, indicating that they had smoothed things over.

“All’s well that ends well!” he said in his caption.

Poa is also serving as a spokesperson for the defense team in Duterte’s impeachment trial, while Panelo was recently appointed as a spokesperson for Duterte.