Members and spokespersons of the House prosecution panel have expressed serious concern that enforcing a gag order on the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte would put the public at a distinct disadvantage.
The warning comes ahead of a crucial decision from Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, the presiding officer of the impeachment court, who is scheduled to rule on the matter this coming Monday, August 17.
While emphasizing their intent to comply with any directive issued by the Senate tribunal, Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon and Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua voiced strong support for maintaining open public discussion.
They cautioned that restricting statements about the ongoing proceedings could lead to an information void, giving rise to misinformation and disinformation.
”The further you restrict official communications by the defense, the prosecution, and the court itself, dyan po nagkakaroon ng vacuum for misinformation, disinformation, fake news,” Ridon said.
Ridon noted that government efforts should target false news rather than preventing legitimate updates that explain what happens during open court sessions.
”It does not serve the interest of the public pagka po magkakaroon ng further restrictions on trying to explain to the public yung pong pagtakbo ng mga proceedings po na ito,” Ridon said.
He further stressed that every piece of evidence presented before the tribunal must be made accessible and clearly explained to citizens, regardless of its technical nature.
”Every piece of evidence, technical man ito, ay dapat na ipapaliwanag ng bawat partido, ng depensa, ng prosekusyon, kahit ng korte mismo sa ating pong taong-bayan,” he noted.
Representative Chua agreed that although the prosecution must abide by the rules set by the Senate impeachment court, some flexibility is essential so the public can comprehend the high-profile proceedings.
”Ang impeachment kasi, this is imbued with public interest. Bakit po namin sinabing public interest? Unang-una, ito po nasasakdal o yung subject po ng impeachment ay public official na hinalal ng taong-bayan,” Chua said.
He emphasized that the prosecution’s capability to inform the nation is vital since it possesses a complete overview of the presented evidence.
”Kung hindi naman namin maipapaliwanag, lalong-lalo na po kami na nasa prosecution, kasi kami ang nakita ng kabuuan ng presentasyon ng ebidensya. Kung hindi naman namin ito maipapaliwanag nang maayos sa ating mga kababayan, ay baka hindi rin nila maunawaan kung ano po talaga ang nangyayari sa loob po ng impeachment court,” he said.
According to Ridon, the prosecution’s regular press briefings, media interviews, and social media updates are vital tools to help Filipinos navigate the trial’s technical complexities.
Currently, the panel holds near-daily briefings regarding the trial, which centers on four articles of impeachment against Vice President Duterte.