House prosecution panel member Atty. Amando Ligutan stood by a social media comment he made two weeks prior, which led the Senate impeachment court to enforce tighter gag orders on trial participants.
Addressing the court during a manifestation on Wednesday morning, August 26, the Cebuano lawyer maintained his position regarding the online post.
“Correcting a mistake is never wrong. Doing it while a hearing is on-going, online, does not make it not right. Ang pagtatama ng mali ay kailanman hindi ipinagbabawal. Kahit sa loob ng impeachment court na ito,” Ligutan asserted.
The controversy began during the August 12 hearing following a courtroom exchange between prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan and defense attorney Atty. Kristine Ferrer. After Kapunan misspoke and changed “leading questions” to “misleading questions,” Ferrer stated that such queries were permitted, triggering widespread concern across legal circles.
In response, Ligutan published a clarifying statement online: “A principle ALL lawyers and law students know by heart: Misleading questions are NOT allowed even on cross-examination.”
Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team subsequently reported the post to Presiding Officer and Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
Reflecting on his motivation, Ligutan—who balance nearly two decades in academia alongside 16 years of legal practice—explained that his reaction was driven by a professional responsibility to educate.
“That’s why I made that post. I was concerned that the statement made in open court — that misleading questions are allowed — will go unchecked. My teacher’s instinct kicked in,” he noted.
“First and foremost I am a teacher. Isa po akong guro. Usa ko ka maestro. And I am proud to be one,” Ligutan stated, adding, “Ang pagtuturo, ang pagtatama ng mali, ay walang pinipiling lugar, at walang pinipiling panahon.”
The prosecutor clarified that his post was neither a personal attack nor a commentary on the trial’s core merits.
“To the defense, the post is not about you. It is not personal. It is about the law that we all adhere to,” he explained.
“But what did I violate? I did not discuss the merits of the case. I did not discuss the strength or weakness of the legal arguments or evidence of either side,” Ligutan added, emphasizing that he was simply reiterating a basic legal standard without referencing specific individuals or evidence.
Closing his manifestation, Ligutan stressed that serving on the prosecution team does not strip him of his fundamental right to educate.
“Your honors, we in the prosecution panel also have rights. I, for one, did not surrender my freedom to teach and to enlighten, when I decided to participate in this trial,” he remarked.
“Patuloy po akong magiging guro kahit sa loob ng impeachment court na ito,” he pledged.