‘Sara Duterte in constant communication with lawyers on sub judice rule’

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte is in constant communication with her lawyers to avoid potentially being cited for contempt for violating the sub judice rule in her impeachment trial, defense panel spokesperson Michael Poa said on Monday.

Poa made the pronouncement after two members of the House prosecution panel were issued show-cause orders by the Senate impeachment court for supposedly violating the sub judice rule.

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

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“We maintain constant communication with the vice president. So ‘pag may mga bagay na hindi rin siya sure kung sub judice o hindi, siya naman ay nagko-consult at tayo nagbibigay ng opinion natin,” said Poa in a press conference.

(We maintain constant communication with the vice president. So, when she is unsure whether or not the sub judice rule applies, she consults us, and we provide our opinion.)

“And usually, she values our opinion,” Poa added.

Asked to comment on prosecutors’ call to have Duterte be subject to the rule as well, Poa responded that he agrees anyone involved in the trial should be rightfully called out.

READ: Sub judice rule should also be applied to Sara Duterte – House prosec

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“I think to be fair, kahit ako dapat pag meron akong maling nasabi dapat ma-call out,” said Poa.

(I think, to be fair, even I should be called out if I say something wrong.)

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Poa, however, did not comment on Duterte’s remarks specifically, stating that he “did not know the context of what was said.”

“I was too preoccupied with just getting things done smoothly before the RTC judge at that time. Pero wala naman tayong reklamo (but we don’t have any complaints),” said Poa.

“Tama naman na dapat maging patas at basta may paglabag dun sa Rule 18 or yung sub judice rule, dapat lahat tayo maging covered noon, including the defense, including myself,” he added.

(It is only right to be fair; if there is a violation of Rule 18—or the sub judice rule—then the rule should apply to everyone, including the defense and myself.)

This was in reference to Duterte’s recent pronouncement where she explicitly said that she “does not trust the court,” which she said concerning the criminal charges she faces for grave threats.

READ: Sara Duterte posts bail: ‘I don’t trust the court’

It should be noted that she also recently claimed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has control over the Senate, fiscals, judges and the police—a declaration the prosecution panel said directly assails the integrity of the Senate impeachment court.

The sub judice rule under Rule 18 of the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trial bars both the prosecution and defense teams, their witnesses, the respondent, and senator-judges from publicly commenting on the merits of the pending case.

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Sub judice rule violators will face public reprimand and admonition on their first strike, while a fine of P30,000—with the possibility of being restricted from speaking, objecting, or examining witnesses on the floor—may be imposed for subsequent violations. /gsg