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House Calls Poa To Testify On DepEd Funds
Michael Poa via PNA
The House of Representatives of the Philippines is stepping up its scrutiny of how confidential funds were handled at the Department of Education (DepEd), summoning a key figure close to Vice President Sara Duterte.
The House Committee on Justice has ordered Atty. Michael Wesley T. Poa, Duterte’s legal counsel and former DepEd chief of staff, to appear at a hearing on April 14, 2026, in Quezon City. Lawmakers want him to shed light on how confidential funds were used and accounted for during his time in the department from 2022 to 2023.
“You are hereby directed to appear before the Committee on Justice on April 14, 2026, 10:00 A.M., at the 2nd Floor of the People Center, House of Representatives, to testify on matters relevant to your tenure as Chief of Staff of the Secretary of the Department of Education from 2022 to 2023, relating to the use and liquidation of confidential funds by the said Department and to submit the following documents,” the order read.
The subpoena, issued on March 31, also requires Poa to submit DepEd’s records filed with the Commission on Audit (COA). These documents are expected to help lawmakers review how the agency reported and liquidated its confidential expenses.
The issue of confidential funds has been a flashpoint in recent months, especially after debates in Congress over transparency and accountability in government spending. Confidential and intelligence funds, while legally allowed for certain agencies, have drawn criticism when used by offices not traditionally linked to security operations, such as education.
During an earlier House inquiry in October 2024 led by Joel Chua, Poa said that responsibility for managing DepEd’s confidential funds ultimately rested with Duterte, who stepped down as Education secretary in June 2024.
The latest move by the justice panel is tied to ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Vice President. Complaints have been filed by religious leader Joel Saballa and others, as well as lawyer Nathaniel G. Cabrera. These were endorsed by lawmakers including Leila de Lima, Bienvenido Abante Jr., and Paolo Ortega V.
House leaders emphasized the importance of Poa’s testimony, warning that non-compliance could lead to legal penalties. The subpoena was signed under the authority of Justice Committee chair Gerville Luistro and Speaker Faustino Dy III, with attestation by Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.
As the hearings approach, attention is expected to focus on how public funds—particularly those shielded by confidentiality—were managed, and whether proper safeguards were followed.
The House Committee on Justice has ordered Atty. Michael Wesley T. Poa, Duterte’s legal counsel and former DepEd chief of staff, to appear at a hearing on April 14, 2026, in Quezon City. Lawmakers want him to shed light on how confidential funds were used and accounted for during his time in the department from 2022 to 2023.
“You are hereby directed to appear before the Committee on Justice on April 14, 2026, 10:00 A.M., at the 2nd Floor of the People Center, House of Representatives, to testify on matters relevant to your tenure as Chief of Staff of the Secretary of the Department of Education from 2022 to 2023, relating to the use and liquidation of confidential funds by the said Department and to submit the following documents,” the order read.
The subpoena, issued on March 31, also requires Poa to submit DepEd’s records filed with the Commission on Audit (COA). These documents are expected to help lawmakers review how the agency reported and liquidated its confidential expenses.
The issue of confidential funds has been a flashpoint in recent months, especially after debates in Congress over transparency and accountability in government spending. Confidential and intelligence funds, while legally allowed for certain agencies, have drawn criticism when used by offices not traditionally linked to security operations, such as education.
During an earlier House inquiry in October 2024 led by Joel Chua, Poa said that responsibility for managing DepEd’s confidential funds ultimately rested with Duterte, who stepped down as Education secretary in June 2024.
The latest move by the justice panel is tied to ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Vice President. Complaints have been filed by religious leader Joel Saballa and others, as well as lawyer Nathaniel G. Cabrera. These were endorsed by lawmakers including Leila de Lima, Bienvenido Abante Jr., and Paolo Ortega V.
House leaders emphasized the importance of Poa’s testimony, warning that non-compliance could lead to legal penalties. The subpoena was signed under the authority of Justice Committee chair Gerville Luistro and Speaker Faustino Dy III, with attestation by Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.
As the hearings approach, attention is expected to focus on how public funds—particularly those shielded by confidentiality—were managed, and whether proper safeguards were followed.
Apr 9, 2026
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