MANILA, Philippines — Senate Presiding Officer Francis Escudero on Tuesday clarified that photos circulating online showing an aide of Vice President Sara Duterte wearing an earpiece during his testimony last week at her impeachmen trial was AI-generated and "simply false."
Escudero debunked viral social media images of Lemuel Ortonio, assistant secretary and assistant chief of staff of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), allegedly wearing an earpiece when it was actually an earring.
"Accordingly, no witness while testifying shall possess have access to or use any earpiece, headsets, cellphones, smart watch, smart glasses or any other similar device capable of transmitting or receiving information or communication," Escudero said.
"Witnesses are also prohibited from receiving or attempting to receive any communications, suggestion, answer signal, message or prompt from any person whether inside or outside of this court, regardless of the means employed. The prohibition shall remain in force during recesses and until the witness is formally discharged by the court," he added.
