Ridon, Tolosa only trying to explain impeachment proceedings – Barbers

MANILA, Philippines —Former Rep. Robert Ace Barbers thinks House panel members Rep. Terry Ridon and lawyer Benjamin Tolosa Jr. were only trying to explain the proceedings of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial — not influence the senator-judges.

“Perhaps there were some expressions in the desire to make the issue understandable and relatable to the Filipino people. But someone must have gone over,” Barbers explained in an online news conference on Friday.

Barbers had been asked about the responses of Ridon and Tolosa to the show-cause orders issued by the Senate court concerning their public statements on the impeachment trial that might have violated the sub judice rule.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Ridon says trial remarks meant to explain

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

The orders required Ridon and Tolosa to explain their remarks. Ridon confirmed receiving an order and filed his response on Sept. 17.

“This does not only apply to the prosecutors,” Barbers pointed out.

It should apply to the defense lawyers, the senator-judges, and the respondent.

READ: Tolosa says trial remarks made ‘already on public record’

Article continues after this advertisement

Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. supported Barbers’ position and disputed the suggestion that the remarks would sway the judgment of senator-judges.

“I don’t think the senator-judges can be influenced by that kind of a statement,” Abante said. “That is an expression of truth, actually, that was said by the two prosecutors.” /atm