A TIGHTER leash on public discussion of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could do more harm than good, House prosecutors warned Friday, saying restrictions on official communications could create an “information vacuum” that may be filled by fake news, misinformation and disinformation.
The warning came as the Senate Impeachment Court is expected to issue guidelines on Monday or in the coming days governing public statements and social media posts by parties involved in the proceedings.
House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Partylist) said the prosecution recognizes the authority of the impeachment court to regulate the proceedings but stressed that the public should not be left in the dark about a trial of national importance.
“It does not serve the interest of the public pagka po magkakaroon ng further restrictions on trying to explain to the public yung pong pagtakbo ng mga proceedings po na ito,” Ridon said in a press briefing.
He said press briefings, media interviews, and social media posts by the prosecution are intended to help Filipinos understand the often technical proceedings and the evidence presented before the court.
“Every piece of evidence, technical man ito, ay dapat na ipapaliwanag ng bawat partido, ng depensa, ng prosekusyon, kahit ng korte mismo sa ating pong taong-bayan,” Ridon said.
Ridon warned that restricting official explanations could inadvertently give misinformation and other “malign actors” more room to shape the public narrative.
“The further you restrict official communications by the defense, the prosecution, and the court itself, dyan po nagkakaroon ng vacuum for misinformation, disinformation, fake news,” he said.
He said the clear line should be against fake news, misinformation, and disinformation—not legitimate explanations of what actually transpired in open court.
Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong (1st District, Lanao del Sur), spokesperson of the House Prosecution Panel, said the prosecutors would respect and comply with whatever directive the Senate Impeachment Court issues.
“Kung ano po yung magiging direktiba ng Impeachment Court, tatalima po sila, irerespeto po nila. At mag-a-adjust po ang House Prosecution Panel in compliance with kung ano po yung magiging direktiba ng impeachment court,” Adiong said.
But Adiong urged the impeachment court to apply its rules on public statements and social media consistently to all participants, including the senator-judges.
He cited instances involving what he described as “spliced videos” posted on social media and said the sub judice rule should not be enforced selectively against only the prosecution or defense.
“Sana hindi lang po ito ma-impose lang po sa isang particular na panel tulad po sa prosecution o sa depensa,” Adiong said.
House prosecutor Rep. Joel Chua (3rd District, Manila) said the public has a legitimate interest in understanding the impeachment trial.
“Ang impeachment kasi, this is imbued with public interest. Bakit po namin sinabing public interest? Unang-una, ito po nasasakdal o yung subject po ng impeachment ay public official na hinalal ng taong-bayan,” Chua said.
While Chua acknowledged that the prosecution is bound by the Senate impeachment rules, he said some flexibility should be allowed so the public can better understand what is happening inside the impeachment court.
“Kung hindi naman namin maipapaliwanag, lalong-lalo na po kami na nasa prosecution, kasi kami ang nakita ng kabuuan ng presentasyon ng ebidensya. Kung hindi naman namin ito maipapaliwanag nang maayos sa ating mga kababayan, ay baka hindi rin nila maunawaan kung ano po talaga ang nangyayari sa loob po ng impeachment court,” Chua said.
Adiong said the prosecutors’ statements have been based on matters already presented and heard in open court.
“What is at stake here is the public interest,” Adiong said.
The House prosecutors said they would await the Senate Impeachment Court’s expected directive and adjust their public engagement accordingly, while continuing to assert the importance of keeping the public informed about the proceedings.
metrosundaily
