By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense counsel spokesperson Michael Poa has denied issuing a statement attacking Rep. Terry Ridon, saying words attributed to him in social media posts were fabricated.
Poa issued the clarification Tuesday after an alleged statement began circulating online, supposedly representing his response to Ridon’s remarks concerning the defense team in Duterte’s impeachment proceedings.
Poa categorically rejected the statement and emphasized that he has not issued any disrespectful remarks against members of the prosecution.
“I wish to clarify that a statement circulating on social media, purportedly attributed to me as a response to Rep. Terry Ridon, is not true. I never made or issued that statement,” Poa said.
He acknowledged that he and Ridon are on opposing sides of the impeachment proceedings but stressed that their political and legal differences have not changed his approach to public statements.
According to Poa, he has consistently sought to keep his comments professional, respectful and centered on the issues being argued before the impeachment court.
“While Rep. Ridon and I may find ourselves on opposing sides in the impeachment proceedings, I have always endeavored my statements to be respectful, professional and focused solely on the issues,” he said.
Poa also objected to having statements he did not make attributed to him, particularly those containing personal attacks against Ridon.
“I would therefore not want words that I did not say, particularly statements directed personally against him, to be attributed to me,” he added.
The clarification came amid continuing exchanges between Duterte’s defense camp and the prosecution side as the impeachment proceedings move forward.
Poa likewise appealed to social media pages carrying the disputed posts to remove the material, maintaining that the statement being circulated was not his and should not be presented as such.
ia/xf
