Sub judice rule: Ridon, Tolosa given show-cause orders by impeach court

MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel on Thursday confirmed receipt of the show-cause orders issued by the Senate impeachment court against two of its members for possible violation of the sub judice rule.

According to House prosecution spokesperson Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, one of the recipients of the order was House prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon.

READ: Impeach court orders some prosecs to explain possible violation of sub judice

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Both Adiong, and House prosecutor Joel Chua, however, could not confirm who the second prosecutor was as they had yet to actually see the order itself—but stated that it belonged to one of the private prosecutors.

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“Right now, we are still looking at the details of what the contents of that show cause order are, so we have not yet seen, and have not yet discussed what the course of action of the prosecution panel will be,” said Adiong during a press conference.

The sub judice rule bars both the prosecution and defense teams, their witnesses, the respondent, and senator-judges from publicly commenting on the merits of the pending case.

Based on a recent ruling by court Presiding Officer and Senator-Judge Francis “Chiz” Escudero, sub judice rule violators will face public reprimand with admonition on their first strike.

A monetary fine of P30,000, with the possibility of being restricted from speaking, objecting or examining witnesses on the floor, may be imposed upon them for their subsequent violations. /apl