MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court has issued show-cause orders to two members of the House prosecution panel over three separate incidents involving public statements in connection with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Impeachment court spokesman Regie Tongol said on Wednesday that one House prosecution panel member was issued show-cause orders covering two incidents arising from interviews on Sept. 14 and 15, while a counsel for the panel faces a separate order stemming from an interview on Sept. 8.
Tongol said the identities of those covered would be disclosed once the orders have been served, after which the documents will be uploaded to the Senate website.
The respondents will have 24 hours to explain why they should not be cited for violating the Senate Impeachment Rules and the presiding officer’s Aug. 26 ruling on public statements.
The proceedings were initiated motu proprio by the impeachment court, Tongol said, and not upon a complaint from the defense.
