Prosecution legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. confirmed on Tuesday that the Senate impeachment court had issued him an “admonition” over his previous public statements concerning the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a press conference minutes after the Day 31 of the impeachment trial, Tolosa said the court’s action was related to the chamber’s sub judice rule, which restricts public statements that may affect the merits of a case under consideration.
The sub judice rule bars parties, lawyers, witnesses, and judges from making public statements on the merits of an ongoing impeachment case.
However, Tolosa clarified that the court did not expressly find him in violation of Rule 18, or the sub judice rule.
“Even if there’s no expressed statement that I violated the rule, at the end, there’s admonition to exercise greater restraint in giving public statements,” Tolosa said.
Tolosa said he respectfully disagrees with the admonition, noting that there was no finding that he had violated the rule.
“I respectfully disagree with respect to that admonition because, as I’ve stated, there is no finding that I violated the rule. Nonetheless, of course, I respect the authority of the impeachment court as an institution. And with that I will not belabor the point,” he said.
Despite his disagreement, Tolosa said he would comply with the court’s admonition and be more cautious about making public statements while the impeachment proceedings are ongoing.
“I will of course respect the admonition and hence be even more careful in giving statements moving forward. I just don’t want this matter to cause a distraction since our focus should really be on what’s important in this case, which is the evidence that we’re currently hearing,” the lawyer added.
He also clarified that the court did not impose any fine or monetary penalty against him.
“Buti na lang din dahil kung hindi, pro bono na, abonado pa,” Tolosa said.
