Prosecution weighs shifting roles amid strict sub judice rule in Duterte trial

THE House prosecution panel is considering whether some of its prosecutors should relinquish their roles to serve as spokespersons as the team adjusts to the Senate impeachment court’s strict enforcement of the sub judice rule in Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s trial.

“Pinag-uusapan po ‘yan. Kung kinakailangan pong magbitiw ang public prosecutor ng kanyang trabaho bilang prosecutor para maging spokesperson, isa ‘yan sa mga pinag-uusapan,” prosecution spokesperson Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said during a press briefing Thursday.

The prosecution has 11 House members serving as public prosecutors, assisted by more than 20 private lawyers in presenting the impeachment charges against Duterte. The private prosecutors serve under the direction and supervision of the House panel.

The House panel is led by House Committee on Justice Chair Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro and includes Reps. Terry Ridon, Ramon Rodrigo “Rodge” Gutierrez, Ysabel Maria Zamora, Lorenz Defensor, Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, Leila de Lima, Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao, Jonathan Keith Flores, Lordan Suan and Joel Chua.

Alonto Adiong said discussions are ongoing on possibly adding spokespersons, including having some prosecutors give up their prosecution roles to focus on public communications.

“I think ongoing pa rin ‘yung pinag-uusapan ito sa prosecution panel. But definitely, may possibility po na may mga nakaupong prosecutors ngayon ang maaaring magbitaw ng kanilang position bilang miyembro ng prosecution panel at mag-act na lang as isa sa mga spokespersons,” he said.

“So maaari din po na magdagdag ng spokespersons,” Alonto Adiong added.

The possible adjustment follows the Senate impeachment court’s order Wednesday for the strict application of Rule 18 governing public statements by parties and other individuals covered by the rule while the trial is pending.

Alonto Adiong said the prosecution is also studying whether the House panel must maintain exactly 11 public prosecutors if one or more relinquish their posts.

“Kinakailangan bang 11 ba talaga? Or it can also be a smaller number?” he said.

“The point is that it has to be not more than 11,” he added.

The 11-member panel was elected by the House in May in accordance with its Rules of Procedure in Impeachment Proceedings.

Alonto Adiong said existing prosecution spokespersons would remain, while prosecutors who have previously given interviews may now be limited in what they can publicly discuss.

“Pero definitely, ‘yung mga nagsasalita na po for the House prosecution panel, hindi po mababawasan. Rather, may possible na madagdag,” he said.

“Actually, we are adjusting accordingly,” he added.

Fellow spokesperson Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co said the House prosecution panel respects the ruling of Presiding Officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero and will comply.

“We respect the presiding officer’s ruling and the authority of the impeachment court. We will comply,” Co said.

But Co stressed that Rule 18 should be applied uniformly to everyone covered by it.

“The same rules should be applied according to its terms to everyone covered by it,” she said.

“Iisa dapat ang standard na pinagbabatayan sa paano nagsasalita ang lahat ng partido sa prosecution at sa defense,” Co added.