Ridon, Tolosa Ordered to Explain Sub Judice Breach in Impeachment Trial

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court has ordered Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon and private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr. to explain their perceived violations of the court’s sub judice rule. With the receipt of the show-cause order, the House of Representatives’ prosecution team urged the impeachment court to also call out Vice President Sara Duterte. Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, one of the designated spokespersons in the impeachment trial, pointed out to journalists covering the proceedings that if presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero found some prosecutors to have committed such, then so has the Vice President. “I think it should be applied universally. If we are really to set the standard for all parties involved in this impeachment trial to observe with due diligence, avoiding violating the sub judice rule, it would also be applied to the respondent herself,” he said, referring to Duterte. Adiong noted that Duterte had openly declared her distrust of the court and even insinuated a presidential influence over it. He described the remarks as attacks on the court itself. Escudero issued the show-cause orders on Sept. 16. The demand came after two prosecutors received orders to explain public statements that allegedly violated the court’s restrictions on discussing the pending case. Ridon confirmed he was one of the two prosecutors issued the show-cause order. This development raises concerns about the transparency and fairness of political impeachment proceedings in the Philippines, highlighting the balance between freedom of speech and restrictions aimed at preserving the integrity of a trial. Source: Philstar Nation