Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has called on the Senate impeachment court to enforce a strict rule preventing both the House prosecution and the defense teams from publicly debating the merits of the case against Vice President Sara Duterte before the formal trial commences next month.
Lacson pointed out that a public debate is already escalating outside the halls of Congress.
“Even before the impeachment trial begins on July 6, a separate trial before the bar of public opinion is already ongoing,” Lacson said in a post on host social media account on Friday.
The senator emphasized that his proposal is not an attempt to enforce a complete media blackout on the upcoming proceedings.
“Merits of the case lang ang concern ko; nothing to do with the process and other similar points of information that the public may appreciate,” he added.
This appeal comes on the heels of the conclusion of pre-trial proceedings on Thursday, during which both the prosecution and the Vice President’s defense lawyers finalized the marking of their evidence and the listing of their witnesses.
According to Senate Secretary and Impeachment Clerk of Court Renato Bantug Jr., the entire timeline for presenting evidence could last up to 92 trial days.
The prosecution expects to take 62 trial days to present its arguments, while the defense team has been given 30 trial days for its counter-arguments.
The Senate will officially convene as an impeachment court three times a week, running from Monday to Wednesday, beginning July 6.