Escudero suggests non-counsel spokespersons for impeachment trial

Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero on Wednesday recommended to the Defense and Prosecution panels to consider nominating respective spokespersons who are not limited by the rules of the court. Escudero said that while Defense team spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa and House prosecution team spokesperson Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. have both been “very careful” in their statements, both are registered counsel for their respective teams. “As the trial goes on, it might take its toll with respect to the spokesperson and counsels at the same time being able to distinguish within the merits of the case and purely procedural observations or facts,” Escudero said on Day 9 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Escudero cited the rule on making comments or disclosures on the part of the prosecutors, counsel for the respondent, and their witnesses. “So you might want to consider, in order to give a freer hand, nominating a spokesperson that is purely a spokesperson that is not limited by the rules of the impeachment court with respect to what he or she can say,” he added. The presiding officer also stressed that the impeachment court is monitoring the statements being issued by the counsels for the two parties. Sought for comment, Lead Prosecutor Gerville Luistro said that they will raise the matter with Tolosa. “We will bring that up with Atty. Jay Tolosa, no? Ever since naman we are always deciding as a team. We will be consulting each other as to the best action to take for Atty. Tolosa,” Luistro said in a press briefing. “But ultimately, of course, this will be his decision,” she added. The Defense, for its part, welcomed Escudero's suggestion but said the decision would still depend on the Vice President. “It's something that I would have to consult with the Vice President, if that's something she would be amenable to,” Poa told reporters. "This is something I cannot decide by myself but something I need to talk with the VP about," he added. —VAL, GMA News