Brian Poe spurns pop culture references in impeachment proceedings

FPJ Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe on Wednesday urged members of the House Committee on Justice to refrain from using pop culture references during the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

“I would like to appeal to our colleagues—if possible—to refrain from using pop culture references in our manifestations and statements,” Poe said during the hearing.

“This is a serious matter. This is the impeachment of the second-highest official in our government. I believe it should be treated with the same level of respect and gravity,” he added.

Poe made the remark after Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendana called out SAGIP Party-list Rep. Paolo Marcoleta over an alleged incorrect reference to a film starring John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo.

Marcoleta had earlier said the panel should explain its decision if it votes to open a box containing the income tax returns (ITRs) of Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio.

“May nabanggit kanina na Popoy and Basha na line si Rep. Marcoleta. In-attribute niya ang explanation kay Popoy. Hindi po siya kay Popoy—ito ay kay Papa P., kay Piolo Pascual sa pelikulang Starting Over Again,” Cendana said.

(Rep. Marcoleta mentioned a Popoy and Basha line. He attributed a line about asking for an explanation to Popoy. But it was not from Popoy—it was from Piolo Pascual’s character in the film Starting Over Again*.)*

“I hope that as we decide on this matter, this will not lead us to starting over again,” he added.

Poe represents the FPJ Bayanihan, a political party-list group supposedly representing sectors that advocate bayanihan (community cooperation), public service, and social welfare.

Named after late film icon and 2004 presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., the group draws on his public image, which was widely associated with championing the poor and fighting injustice.

Poe is the grandson of Fernando Poe Jr. and the son of former Sen. Grace Poe.

Moments after the exchange, the House committee voted to reject the motion to open the box containing the documents from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Last week, BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza said the ITRs—covered by a subpoena issued by the House panel—may only be disclosed if the request is in aid of legislation and must be examined in an executive session, not in a public hearing attended by media.—MCG, GMA News