Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday announced a “two-strike rule” for violations of Rule 18, or the sub judice rule, which restricts participants in the impeachment trial from publicly commenting on the merits of Vice President Sara Duterte’s case while it is being heard.
Under the rule, a first offense will be met with a severe reprimand and stern admonition in open court, which will be permanently placed on the record as a final warning.
“The penalty is a severe reprimand and stern admonition in open court, placed permanently on the record as a final warning,” Escudero said.
A second offense, as well as every succeeding violation, will carry a monetary fine of up to ₱30,000 per violation.
“The Court will impose a maximum statutory fine of ₱30,000 per violation,” Escudero said, citing the prescribed ceiling under Rule 71, Section 7 of the court.
Escudero added that, in exercising its inherent case-management powers to preserve orderly proceedings, the court may also impose prospective restrictions on an offending lawyer or party from speaking, objecting, or examining witnesses on the floor.
“Each subsequent violation of Rule 18 shall be punished the same way as a second offense, third, fourth, so on, with a fine of 30,000 pesos,” he added.
For lawyers, the record of the violation may also be transmitted to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and/or the Supreme Court (SC) for possible disciplinary action involving their license to practice law.
