House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon defended House private prosecutor Atty. Amando Virgil Ligutan’s social media post amid the controversy raised during the 15th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, arguing that it did not violate the sub judice rule because it did not discuss the merits of the case.
Speaking during the prosecution panel’s press conference on Wednesday, August 12, Ridon responded to the defense’s complaint against Ligutan, whose post stated that “misleading questions are not allowed even on cross-examination.”
“Dalawa lang po yung tanong. Ito po ba ay may pinangalanan? Pangalawa, is it based on the merits? I don't think so,” Ridon said.
He maintained that Ligutan merely discussed a legal principle and did not comment on the impeachment case itself.
“Yung sub judice rule ang pinag-usapan po dito talking about the merits of the case. But what was Attorney Ligutan actually talking about? He was basically stating a principle of law on misleading questions,” Ridon said.
Ridon dismissed the defense’s objections, saying the complaint was misplaced.
“So, kung naiyak po yung depensa, kawawa naman sila. But it is not within the sub judice rule. So, I think it is out of place,” he said.
Despite defending Ligutan, Ridon said the prosecution would abide by whatever ruling the Senate impeachment court issues regarding public statements by the parties.
“We will respect the determination and decision of the Senate Impeachment Court on the allowable utterances and statements of the parties,” he said.
Ridon also urged the impeachment court to strike a balance between enforcing Rule 18 and ensuring that the public continues to understand the significance of the proceedings.
He noted that impeachment proceedings are highly technical and document-driven, making it difficult for ordinary Filipinos to follow without explanations from the parties outside the courtroom.
“Very important po sa publiko na maunawaan po yung actual na detalye... bakit mahalaga yung bawat piraso ng ebidensya,” Ridon said.
He added that prosecutors and defense lawyers provide the context necessary for the public to appreciate the importance of the evidence and accountability issues being discussed during the trial.
“We do not want a trial that is divorced from the understanding of the public,” Ridon said.
The issue arose after defense lead counsel Atty. Sheila Sison criticized Ligutan’s social media post as “in bad taste” and inconsistent with the decorum expected of lawyers while the impeachment trial is ongoing.
Following the complaint, Presiding Officer Sen. Chiz Escudero announced that he is drafting a ruling, warning, and order on alleged violations of Rule 18, which prohibits public comments on the merits of the impeachment case by prosecutors, defense counsels, senator-judges, and the presiding officer.
Escudero said the ruling will be announced next week.
