The Senate impeachment court warned Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, August 26, to strictly observe its gag rule prohibiting public statements regarding the substance of her ongoing impeachment case.
Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero issued the stern reminder after Duterte released a statement addressing the proceedings at the exact moment he was delivering a tribunal ruling on the matter.
Escudero noted that her action falls squarely under Rule 18, which prohibits the impeached official and other covered parties from publicly debating the merits of a pending trial.
However, the court clarified that the interpretation will be applied prospectively, meaning sanctions will only apply to statements issued after the official ruling was handed down.
“While the presiding officer was delivering its ruling on the applicability, limitation, and who is covered by Rule 18. A statement was issued by the impeached official, the respondent, the Vice President, which clearly is covered by what the ruling earlier given by the presiding officer issued,” Escudero said.
“So given that it is done while the ruling is being issued, prospectivity would still apply,” he explained.
Following the clarification, Escudero instructed Duterte’s lead defense counsel, Atty. Sheila Sison, to direct her client to abide by tribunal rules and procedures moving forward.
“However the presiding officer would like to remind through the lead counsel for respondent her client to kindly observe the ruling of the presiding officer as well as the rules of the impeachment court specifically rule 18 on the subject matter in regard to making comments on the merits of the case,” he stated.
The Senate President cautioned that subsequent violations would trigger formal measures from the impeachment court and potential referrals to legal disciplinary authorities, highlighting Duterte’s status as a licensed attorney.
“Because henceforth, again given the prospectivity of the ruling the necessary action will be taken against not only by the court but also given that she is a lawyer by what the presiding officer earlier mentioned in relation to CIPRA and in relation to the Office of the Bar Confidant,” Escudero warned.
“Kindly inform her, Atty. Shiela,” he added.
Sison acknowledged the instruction, stating,
“We take note of that, Your Honor.”
Escudero confirmed that the court will release detailed guidelines outlining specific penalties for subsequent infractions.