House prosecutors have appealed to the Senate impeachment court to implement regular short breaks during the impeachment trial, saying the lengthy proceedings are physically demanding and affect those presenting arguments.

House prosecutor Joel Chua made the appeal after social media users circulated memes targeting House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro and private legal counsel Atty. Amando Virgil Ligutan over their physical appearance during the hearings.

Chua explained that prosecutors endure hours of standing, speaking, and responding to questions under intense pressure and stress.

“Siyempre lahat naman po kami tao rin at nandoon din yung stress, nandoon din po yung tension,” Chua said.

He also recalled that during the first three days of the trial, prosecutors were not allowed to bring bottled water into the Senate plenary hall.

“Magsasalita ka dun, tuyung-tuyo na yung bibig mo. Siyempre, nandoon din yung tension, nandoon din yung stress. Hindi rin naman po ganoon kadali,” he said.

Chua thanked Senator-judge Pia Cayetano for raising a motion that would allow participants to bring water inside the plenary hall, a measure expected to be implemented when the trial resumes next week.

Earlier, House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin also urged the public to focus on the evidence presented during the impeachment proceedings rather than engaging in personal attacks against members of the prosecution panel.