MANILA — Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro stated that the House prosecution panel simply got carried away by excitement over the upcoming three-week break in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
This development came after the lead prosecutor issued a formal apology regarding a circulating “wacky” photograph of team members taken inside the Senate plenary hall.
Speaking in a radio interview on Thursday, October 15, Luistro explained that the picture reflected genuine happiness among her colleagues who dedicated months of hard work to the rigorous impeachment proceedings. She stressed that there was never any intention to disrespect or make fun of the upper chamber.
“Medyo hindi lamang po napigilan ang kaligayahang naramdaman sapagkat na-excite doon sa three weeks na magiging break ng impeachment trial, as simple as that,” she said.
Prior to the interview, Senate President Win Gatchalian announced that an official inquiry would be launched into the viral photo due to potential decorum violations.
“Humihingi po ako ng paumanhin on behalf of the prosecution panel,” Luistro added.
According to the lead prosecutor, the team actually posed for a serious, formal picture first before an unidentified individual suggested taking a playful shot. Some members later uploaded the lighthearted image on social media, triggering online discussions about parliamentary decorum.
The high-profile impeachment trial officially commenced on July 6. Throughout the past three months, the prosecution panel took the lead in presenting extensive evidence spanning multiple witnesses and multiple articles of impeachment.
“It was genuine joy na nag-spring sa mga magkakaibang magkakasama ng mahabang panahon at ako po ay mauuna na sa paghingi ng paumanhin sa Senado, sa ating Senate President, sa lahat ng mga senador kung kami man po ay nakalampas it was never our intention to make fun of the institution,” Luistro stated.
“It was never our intention to make fun of the Senate. We have always respected and given our highest regard to the Philippine Senate,” she reiterated.
Before the Senate impeachment court adjourned its session on Tuesday, October 13, the prosecution panel executed a strategic maneuver by dropping three of the four original articles of impeachment against Vice President Duterte.
The impeachment court is scheduled to resume its proceedings on November 9.