Vice President Sara Duterte arrives at a Quezon City court. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The House prosecution called on the Senate impeachment court on Monday to ensure the “fair application of the subjudice rule” following a remark by Vice President Sara Duterte likening the impeachment proceedings to a theatrical act.
“Ano ibig sabihin, manood ako sa kanilang sarsuela?,” Duterte told the media on Friday when asked about the possibility of attending her impeachment trial.
Prosecution spokesperson Atty. Jay Tolosa said the remark, which he described as an “attack against the integrity of the court,” was not the first instance of such statements being made.
“Ito siguro yung problema kapag hindi nako-call out yung mga ganitong statements ng bise presidente at hindi lang yung first time na nangyari ito…Obviously it’s an attack against the integrity of the court,” he said.
“Pakiusap namin dito, equal application of the rules,” Tolosa added.
Tolosa said the remark could go beyond a violation of the sub judice rule and could even be considered contempt of court.
“Again these statements are not just inflammatory, but they attack the integrity of the court kaya we cannot take this lightly,” he said.
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House prosecutor Rep. Joel Chua said the court should act fairly, particularly after two prosecutors were issued show-cause orders last week.
“Panoorin po natin ngayon kung ano po ang magiging reaksyon ng ating kagalang-galang na impeachment court. Bagamat kami naniniwala na yung mga ganitong pananalita ay hindi dapat pinapalampas,” he added.
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