HOUSE prosecution team adviser and spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers said the panel will respect and comply with the Senate impeachment court’s strict enforcement of Rule 18, even as it considers adding more designated spokespersons to keep the Filipino public properly informed about the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Barbers said the prosecution accepts Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s ruling and will adjust its public communications accordingly.
“Nirerespeto natin, and we will abide by the ruling of the presiding officer, doon sa pagpapatupad ng istrikto nitong Rule 18,” Barbers said during the prosecution’s August 28 online press conference.
At the same time, Barbers said the prosecution wants to make sure that strict enforcement of the rule does not leave the public dependent on rumors, incomplete video clips, or secondhand accounts of what is happening inside the impeachment court.
“Sana ang ating mga kababayan ay magkaroon ng oras na makinig at manood dito at subaybayan ang impeachment trial na ito,” he said.
To strike that balance, Barbers said the prosecution is studying whether to expand its pool of designated spokespersons, potentially including a prosecutor who would leave the litigation team and serve as a spokesperson who is not counsel of record.
“Pinag-uusapan pa rin sa prosecution team kung ano yung mga hakbang na gagawin tungkol dito sa bagong ruling ng presiding officer, at wala pa namang final,” Barbers said.
He said having more designated speakers could help explain different portions of what is expected to be a long and technical trial without placing the burden on a single spokesperson.
“The more speakers, the more spokespersons, the better,” Barbers said.
Barbers added: “Those appointed or designated as spokespersons, sila ang puwedeng magtuloy o magkumpleto ng mga dapat malaman ng ating mga mamamayan.”
Deputy Speaker Francisco Paolo Ortega V said the prosecution is also studying how broadly the restrictions under Rule 18 should be applied in practice, particularly when prosecutors speak to the media outside the courtroom.
“Ang isa rin kasing tinitingnan: absolute ba ito?” Ortega said, noting that discussion of the merits of the case and the prosecution’s next legal steps are among the areas that require particular care.
Ortega acknowledged that live media interviews can sometimes produce statements that go beyond a speaker’s prepared message, especially when emotions run high.
“Minsan, kapag emotional, medyo tao lang naman tayo. Mayroon tayong mga bitaw na hindi natin mapipigilan, pero nirerespeto natin yung Rule 18 na iyan,” he said.
The prosecution said the possible communications adjustment would not alter its evidence or trial strategy. Instead, it would draw a clearer line between courtroom advocacy and public explanation.
The prosecution said it will await a final internal decision on its communications setup and any further guidance from the impeachment court. In the meantime, Barbers said its public briefings will continue within the limits of Rule 18.
metrosundaily
