Senate opens impeachment court to public, but limits device use

The Senate impeachment court may have been opened to the public, but much of its first day had to be watched the old-fashioned way. During the first day of the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, July 6, the public and the media were not allowed to use electronic devices inside the Senate plenary. The rule set the tone for a tightly controlled opening day: a public proceeding streamed on video in real time, but with broad limits for those watching from inside, including reporters, who were told to rely on pen and paper while the Senate kept control of photos and videos from the floor. Only 61 members of the general public were allowed to observe the trial, with people without Senate IDs required to register through the Senate's Visitor Management System managed by the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms. Among them was Rizal Technological University student Jethro Padernos, a third-year political science student who said he registered through the system to personally witness the first day of what he described as a historic proceeding. "Mahalaga po na bilang kabataan makialam po kami, at isa po kami sa mga nakapanood... Kami pong mga kabataan, naniniwala kami sa accountability at transparency," Padernos told Philippine News Agency. (As young people, it is important for us to be involved, and we are among those who were able to watch. We, the youth, believe in accountability and transparency.) Personnel of the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau told reporters that media personnel were only allowed pen and paper when covering the proceedings inside the Senate plenary. Guidelines earlier released by the Senate for the conduct of the impeachment proceedings instructed the public to switch off mobile phones and other electronic devices, or place them in silent mode, while inside the session hall. The guidelines also prohibited taking photos and videos inside the session hall, except for "authorized PRIB personnel and other duly cleared media personnel." Three PRIB photographers and two rotating press photographers were allowed inside the session hall. However, the guidelines were silent on senators' staff and the senator-judges themselves. Earlier, during arguments over the presiding officer of the trial, Sen. Robin Padilla was seen using his phone. He then delivered a manifestation in support of his minority bloc colleagues objecting to the election of a presiding chair for the trial, saying he had consulted Google. Sen. Pia Cayetano also ordered the staff of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano to distribute a printed copy of the portion of the Constitution on their arguments against having a presiding officer. Despite the bloc's questions, Sen. Chiz Escudero was voted 12-8 to preside. The impeachment trial is expected to last up to 92 days, with the first part expected to discuss the grave threats allegedly made by Duterte in November 2024.