HOUSE prosecution legal spokesperson and counsel Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. over the weekend said the prosecution would leave to the Senate impeachment court whether Vice President Sara Z. Duterte should face sanctions over public statements that may violate the sub judice rule.
Tolosa said the prosecution would rather focus on the defense’s upcoming presentation of evidence than seek penalties against the vice president.
“Well, at this point we will leave that matter to the discretion of the court,” Tolosa said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
“We’ll leave it to its determination kung sa tingin dapat nagkaroon ng violation ng sub judice rule, that dapat din siyang patawan ng kaparusahan para dito, since of course she’s covered by the same,” he added.
Tolosa was asked whether the prosecution would seek sanctions over Duterte’s repeated criticism of the impeachment court and its proceedings.
The sub judice rule restricts public statements that could improperly influence ongoing judicial proceedings.
Tolosa stressed that the prosecution’s priority was to examine the evidence and witnesses to be presented by Duterte’s defense beginning Monday, Nov. 9.
“But kami gusto lang namin mag-focus na lang dito sa ebidensya at dito sa mga pagpe-presenta ng testigo ng depensa para we could already wrap this up and hopefully matapos na ito before the end of the year,” he said.
The House prosecution has formally rested its case after presenting financial records and other evidence supporting Article II, the sole remaining impeachment charge involving alleged unexplained wealth.
Duterte has denied wrongdoing. The Senate impeachment court has yet to decide the case.
metrosundaily
