A spokesperson for the prosecution panel has called on the Senate impeachment court to strictly enforce the sub judice rule on all parties involved, including respondent Vice President Sara Duterte.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong addressed the appeal to the court led by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero after show-cause orders were issued against two prosecutors for alleged violations.
Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon and Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. confirmed receiving show-cause orders on Thursday, September 17.
Ridon belongs to the House prosecution team, while Tolosa serves as a spokesperson for the private prosecution panel.
“I think it should be applied universally,” Adiong said of the sub judice rule.
Adiong pointed out that the prosecution has observed public comments from Duterte questioning the court’s impartiality and alleging presidential interference in the proceedings.
“Those kinds of statements should be called out by the court,” Adiong said.
He emphasized that addressing such remarks would allow the impeachment court to demonstrate impartiality regarding its gag order.
“If we are really to set the standard for all parties involved in this impeachment trial to observe with due diligence, avoiding violating the sub judice, it would also be applied to the respondent herself,” he pointed out.
Defending the prosecution panel, Adiong maintained that the public statements made by its members were merely clarifications of matters already raised during court proceedings.
While the panel has not yet finalized its next move, he noted that a formal filing remains an option.
“If that requires, for example, if it necessitates for the prosecution panel to also make this as a formal manifestation, then that could possibly be done. So pag-usapan po yan sa prosecution panel,” he said.
”Hindi pa po napag-usapan kung ano ang magiging course of action ng prosecution,” noted Adiong.
Adiong acknowledged, however, that the discretion to evaluate potential gag order violations rests entirely with the impeachment court.