MANILA, Philippines — A member of the House prosecution team maintained that the sub judice rule must also apply to Vice President Sara Duterte.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said that the Senate impeachment court’s sub judice rule governing public statements on the ongoing trial should not be limited to those directly involved in the hearings.
It was also a reaction to Senate President and impeachment court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero’s impending decision on the application of Rule 18, which bars the prosecution, respondent, their lawyers and witnesses from making public comments or disclosures on the merits of a pending impeachment case.
“When it comes to promoting and upholding the integrity of the court, regardless of who it is or which side they are on, if someone does or says something that violates the rules of our Senate impeachment court, they must truly be called out,” Adiong said in Filipino in a radio interview over the weekend.
“Our approach shouldn't be selective when it comes to maintaining the integrity of the impeachment court,” he added. "That's why there is a sub judice rule because it is to promote and protect and preserve the integrity of the proceedings of the impeachment court. So, how much more can a person be allowed to attack and assault the integrity of the impeachment court?" he said.
“We on the House Prosecution panel have been very, very compliant with all the directives of the impeachment court. We have been compliant and very respectful regarding all the directives issued by the court,” he added.
The impeachment court resumed hearing prosecution evidence on Monday on Article I, which accuses Duterte of misusing P612.5 million in confidential funds in 2022 and 2023.
