Senate impeachment court removes 'abogadong walang alam' describing Poa off the record | GMA News

The Senate impeachment court has struck down the "abogadong walang alam" (a lawyer who knows nothing) remark of private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr. from Senate records when he questioned Vice President Sara Duterte's counsel Michael Poa about his knowledge on confidential fund spending at the Department of Education (DepEd). This developed after defense team lead counsel Sheila Sison called out Tolosa's statement as a "rhetoric to provide drama" during Day 21 of Duterte's impeachment trial. Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero said such description of Tolosa is not fitting to describe a fellow lawyer. "The chair orders to strike abogadong walang alam off the records. The chair finds it discourteous, to say the least," Escudero said. Tolosa said his comments were not meant to disparage Poa and were based on latter's previous testimony before a House inquiry that "he knew totally nothing" about DepEd's confidential fund disbursements. Watch the LIVE special coverage of Day 21 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte with The Vice President on Trial: GMA News Special Coverage. The Senate impeachment court will continue discussing Article I of the Articles of Impeachment, which tackles the alleged "Misuse and Misappropriation of Confidential Funds" by Vice President Sara Duterte. The Prosecution team is set to present Defense counsel Michael Poa, former Office of the Vice President spokesperson, to the witness stand. Stay informed with comprehensive, balanced, and up-to-date reporting as GMA News brings you live coverage of the 21st day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Get the latest developments, live proceedings, expert analysis, and real-time updates from the Senate, with accurate, in-depth coverage of one of the country's most significant political events. Stream our special coverage of the 21st day of the impeachment trial on September 2, 2026, airing on GTV and streaming live across the official GMA News digital platforms. #VPOnTrial #SaraDuterteImpeachment #ImpeachmentTrialDay21 #SenatePH #SenateofthePhilippines #GMANewsLive #GMANews #Duterte #SaraDuterte #Impeachment #VPSara #VPSaraDuterte #GMANews #SerbisyongTotoo #BreakingNews #VPonTrial Watch the latest news stories from GMA Network's trusted news programs on the GMA Play app. Download now on Google Play and App Store. Also available on GMANetwork.com/GMAPlay and Android TVs! GMA Network promotes healthy debate and conversation online. Any abusive language that does not facilitate productive discourse will be blocked from this post. For more updates, visit this link: 24 Oras and 24 Oras Weekend Express [HD] For live updates and highlights, click here: GMA News Highlights Breaking news and stories from the Philippines and abroad: GMA News Portal: http://www.gmanews.tv YouTube: @gmanews Facebook: Facebook: gmanews TikTok: TikTok: gmanews Twitter: Twitter: gmanews Instagram: Instagram: gmanews GMA Network Kapuso programs on GMA Pinoy TV: https://gmapinoytv.com/subscribe