House prosecutor Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry talks to reporters, June 25, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — House prosecutor Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon told the Senate impeachment court that his public statements, which were flagged for possible violation of the sub judice rule, were “made in good faith”.
In his verified answer to the impeachment court’s show cause order, Ridon said his statements had no intent of influencing or prejudging the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
He added that his statements on the presentation of evidence, forthcoming witnesses, matters for further examination, or the prosecution's intended course of presentation were intended to explain the progress and process of the prosecution to the public.
“Rep. Ridon's public statements have been made in the course of performing his responsibilities as a member of the House Prosecution Panel, and pursuant to the prosecution's commitment to keep the public informed of the status and progress of the impeachment proceedings,” Ridon said.
“In making these statements, Rep. Ridon has always understood the distinction between reporting what transpired during the proceedings, explaining procedural developments and the progress of the prosecution, and commenting on matters that are for the Honorable Court alone to determine,” he added.
‘EXCERPTS DON’T REFLECT FULL CONTEXT’
Counsel for the House Prosecution, Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr., who was also issued a show-cause order, said the statements attributed to him during a Sept. 8 press conference either concerned "procedural matters" outside the scope of the sub judice rule or were a fair, accurate, and good faith recollections of what was already on the record.
Tolosa added that his statements were made in good faith.
“When each challenged statement of the undersigned counsel is considered in its complete context, none evaluates a disputed fact, the credibility of a witness, the relevance, weight, or sufficiency of evidence, the legal viability of an Article of Impeachment or substantive defense, or the proper disposition of any charge,” he said.
Tolosa also stressed that the statements cited in the show cause order “do not reflect the full and material context” of his statements.
“The undersigned did not state that the evidence was sufficient to warrant Respondent's conviction, nor did he urge this Honorable Court to reach such a conclusion,” he stated in his Answer.
“Mukhang hindi nabigay ‘yung buong konteksto nitong monitoring team dito sa impeachment court… Madami yung napaka-importanteng bagay na na-cut, hindi sinama, sentences that were cut, na tuloy, hindi nakita ng impeachment court ‘yung buong context… Tulad ng statements na ang court ang magdedetermine whether or not sapat ang ebidensya to reach a conviction,” Tolosa said in an interview.
He also reiterated his call for “equal” application of the sub judice rule, which covers all parties, including the Vice President. “Kung pwede motu proprio sa amin. Wala din siguro ang reason kung bakit hindi motu proprio din dapat pagdating sa mga statements ng bise presidente... I think, mas malaki ang pwedeng maging pinsalang gagawin ng mga statements that are attacks against the integrity of the court. If you say, hawak ng presidente ang mga senador, ‘yan ho ang nakakabahala. Dahil ‘yan, it will erode the people's trust in the Senate Impeachment Court,” Tolosa said.
Under the Senate’s impeachment rules, those who will be found to have violated the rule against discussing merits of the case outside trial will be asked to submit their written explanation to the court within 24 hours.
A first offense will warrant a reprimand or a verbal admonition from the court.
A second offense will require the payment of a P30,000 fine, while third and succeeding offenses may result in the removal of the counsel from appearing in trial and the possible filing of a complaint before the Judicial and Bar Council.
— With a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News