House prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon has filed a verified answer to the show-cause order issued by the Senate Impeachment Court over his alleged violation of the sub judice rule in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
In his pleading dated September 17, Ridon said his public statements were made in good faith and in the course of performing his duties as a member of the House prosecution panel.
He maintained that he had no intention of interfering with the proceedings or prejudging the impeachment case.
Ridon also said he respects the authority of the Senate Impeachment Court and would comply with the rules and guidelines governing public statements during the trial.
“We are submitting the matter to the sound discretion of the Senate Impeachment Court and will respectfully await its resolution,” Ridon said.
Ridon added that he “never intended to prejudge the case, influence the senator-judges, substitute public discussion for the evidence and arguments properly presented before the Honorable Court," or undermine the Court’s authority to determine the merits of the impeachment case.
Ridon maintained that questions regarding the admissibility, relevance, credibility, and weight of the evidence, as well as the merits of the impeachment case, should ultimately be left to the senator-judges.
He also said his statements were made in “good faith“ and were not intended to interfere with, influence, or prejudge the proceedings.
The court also issued a show-cause order to prosecution counsel and spokesperson Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. Tolosa has likewise submitted his response, according to the House prosecution.
The show-cause orders were issued after the impeachment court raised concerns over public statements that may have violated the sub judice rule, which restricts parties in the trial from publicly commenting on the merits of a pending impeachment case.
Under the impeachment court’s rules, a respondent must submit a verified written answer within 24 hours of receiving a show-cause order. A first violation may result in a severe reprimand and stern admonition in open court, while subsequent violations may carry a ₱30,000 fine and other restrictions on participation in the proceedings.
