Lawyer Michael Poa is "no longer connected" with Vice President Sara Duterte's office, he told a House panel investigating the official's fund utilization on Tuesday.

Poa, who served as spokesperson of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), said his consultancy contract "was already pre-terminated."

Poa was being asked on the whereabouts of other OVP officials who yet again skipped the committee's inquiry, prompting his clarification on his employment status.

"When I was still there, they were still connected with the OVP. As of today, hindi ko na po masabi factually if they are still connected or not... Nagpaalam po ako na umalis prior to the previous hearing that we had," he said.

Zambales First District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun asked Poa to clarify if he resigned or he was removed from the post.

"Nagkaroon kami ng pag-uusap prior to the previous hearing. It was a mutual decision. Nag-decide po kami mutually kasi nag-express po ako na hindi ko kayang i-fulfill yung obligations ng contract as a spokesperson," Poa said.

"To be honest with you, since I'm also a resource person here, I found it very difficult to go on media and be interviewed on the same matter kasi nawawala yung objectivity. Because I'm also a resource person. So sinabi ko po yun na I don’t think I am capable of fulfilling the contract. Naintindihan naman po ako, so we mutually decided na ipre-terminate na po," he added.

Poa shared this update amid intense congressional scrutiny over alleged fund misuse by the Vice President. He clarified that he neither resigned nor was removed from his position.

“Nahirapan tayo painterview i am not doing justice sa trabaho na binigay niya sa akin. That’s why nung nag usap kami naintindihan naman nya the feeling was mutual and we agreed na i preterminate na ang aming consultancy contract with the OVP,” he said.

Poa made this statement before the House Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability, in response to a question from the committee’s chairperson, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua.

Chua was questioning Poa regarding seven OVP officials who were the focus of the House panel’s probe into the alleged misuse of government funds. Poa stated that he felt he wasn’t effectively fulfilling his role as spokesperson for Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Parang unfair naman sa ating bise presidente na kinuha nya ako spokesperson but because as you know kayong mga media when you ask for an interview umiiwas muna ako dahil mas gusto ko yung mga ganyan na tanong na di pa napag uusapan so komite sa tingin ko mas appropriate na sagutin ko na lang at a committee level,” he said

Despite the parting, Poa expressed hope that he may work with Vice President Sara again in the future.

“Wala kaming samaan ng loob as far as I’m concerned ng ating bise presidente i really want to thank her for the trust not just now but even in Deped and the oppurtunity to really work with her,” he said.

The lawyer said his contract was supposed to be until December 2024.

Prior to his stint with the OVP, Poa was also undersecretary and spokesperson of the Department of Education when Duterte headed the agency.