Impeachment court reinstates sub judice rule on all VP articles

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court has ruled that the sub judice rule will apply to all impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte, including those withdrawn by the prosecution.

In an order dated Nov. 5, the court reversed the earlier ruling of presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero, which lifted the restriction on public comments about the merits of Articles I, III and IV, covering Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery and grave threats.

“This Court hereby resolves that the sub judice principle… shall apply with equal force to all articles of impeachment, whether withdrawn or pending adjudication,” the order read.

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READ: Defense asks impeach court to keep sub judice rule on dropped cases

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The court also directed all parties, including senator-judges, to refrain “from making, issuing, or otherwise promoting any public statement or commentary concerning the merits of the pending trial or any matter encompassed by the Articles of Impeachment.”

It likewise upheld Escudero’s Aug. 26 ruling imposing a P30,000 fine for violations of the sub judice rule.

Repeat violations may also face limitations in participating from the proceedings, citation for indirect contempt, referral to the Supreme Court or Integrated Bar of the Philippines under the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), and ethics complaints. /dp