MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives' Private Prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan on Wednesday denied any bad faith or malice in his social media post stating that misleading questions were not allowed even during cross-examination.
Ligutan made the statement after Vice President Sara Duterte’s lead defense counsel Sheila Sison raised his post during the impeachment proceedings, amid a heated exchange over whether misleading questions may be asked during cross-examination.
Ligutan said his post merely stated what was provided under the Rules of Court and did not name any person, identify any case or offer an interpretation.
“Did I mention a name? Did I mention what case? Zero. Nothing. Nada,” Ligutan told reporters in an ambush interview, “If anyone felt hit by it, I’m sorry,” he added.
He said lawyers participating in a trial were not prohibited from posting what the law provides, as long as they do not add names, context or personal interpretation.
“I could have understood the problem if I said what my interpretation of the law was. I didn’t interpret anything,” Ligutan said.
Ligutan likewise refused to delete the post, saying it simply stated what the Rules of Court provide.
“There was no bad faith, no malice. It’s just like saying 1+1 equals two,” he said.
Ligutan also maintained that the post was not sub judice, saying he had the right to post what the Rules of Court provide.
