House prosecutor Rep. Joel Chua said there was no intention to disrespect the Senate impeachment court when some members posed for a “wacky” photo inside the session hall following proceedings in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Chua said the photo, taken on Tuesday, Oct. 13, captured the panel members’ “sigh of relief” after facing the challenges of the impeachment proceedings.
“Wala naman po kaming intensyon na bastusin ang ating Impeachment Court, ito po ay iginagalang namin ang Senado,” Chua said.
“Nagkataon po na siguro ng mga panahon na 'yun ay medyo nakaramdamn lang po ng sigh of relief yung ating mga kasama kaya po nagkaroon po ng ganung reaksyon,“ he added.
The photo drew criticism online, with some questioning the prosecution panel’s decision to pose playfully inside the Senate session hall, which serves as the venue of the impeachment court.
House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro earlier apologized for the incident, saying the panel members were carried away by their excitement after presenting their final witness in the impeachment trial.
Luistro also said the team was willing to explain its actions should the Senate ask them to do so.
Meanwhile, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian accepted prosecution's apology but said a warning would still be issued over the incident.
Gatchalian also ordered an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the photos, including questions raised about their authenticity.
The incident came as Duterte’s impeachment trial entered a three-week break following the prosecution panel’s presentation of its final witness and its decision to drop three of the four articles of impeachment concerning alleged misuse of confidential funds, grave threats, and bribery.
The prosecution panel retained Article II, which centers on allegations of unexplained wealth.
