Senate impeachment court flags AI-generated photos of witness with earpiece

The Senate impeachment court on Tuesday flagged circulating social media photos allegedly showing hostile witness Lemuel Ortonio wearing an earpiece as AI-generated fakes. "The photos circulating that supposedly show Mr. Ortonio wearing an earpiece are fake. They were AI-generated," said tribunal's presiding officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero at the start of Day 20 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. He clarified that what Ortonio had was "an ear piercing in the front fold helix of his ear. Not an earpiece." Ortonio, Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff, took the stand last week as a hostile witness on Duterte's alleged misuse of confidential funds. Escudero reminded parties that every witness "must testify solely from his or her own knowledge, free from coaching or influence from counsel or any other person." "No witness, while testifying, shall possess, have access to or use any earpiece, headset, cellphone, smartwatch, smart glasses, or any other similar device capable of transmitting or receiving information or communication," he stated. He added that witnesses are also prohibited from receiving or attempting to receive any communication, suggestion, answer, signal, message or prompt for any person whether inside or outside of this court. Medical accessibility or devices, however, will be subject to the court's approval. Escudero directed the clerk to inform witnesses of the rules prior to testifying, secure all prohibited communication devices in the witness' possession before he or she is sworn in, and obtain the witness' confirmation on the record that he or she understands and shall comply with the directive. Any violation will be dealt with accordingly under the court's disciplinary powers. Source: GMA News Philippines