The Senate impeachment court on Monday issued a stern warning to House prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, urging him to show greater restraint in public comments about the merits of Vice President Sara Duterte‘s pending impeachment trial.
The warning came as the court tightened its enforcement of the sub judice rule, days after Ridon responded to critics who questioned the court’s interpretation of the two-thirds voting threshold for conviction. On Sept. 24, he said,
“Doon sa mga nagsasabi na this is manipulated, and kung ano pa man ang sinasabi nila, may tissue ako rito, punasan n’yo ‘yung luha n’yo.”
His latest remark came after the Sept. 16 show-cause orders and was not included among the statements from Sept. 14 and 15 covered by those orders. Days earlier, Ridon also described the prosecution’s presentation of Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth as “pasok sa banga, shoot sa banga, three points” during a post-trial briefing.
In its Sept. 28 order, the impeachment court acknowledged Ridon’s verified explanation that his earlier remarks were made in good faith and intended to inform the public about the proceedings. However, the court reminded him that reporting what transpired in court is different from publicly arguing what the evidence proves or why it supports a party’s position.
“Rep. Ridon is cautioned to observe the distinction between merely informing the public of what occurred in the Court proceedings and telling the public what the evidence proves or why it supports a party’s position,” the order stated.
“Accordingly, the Court hereby issues a stern warning to Rep. Terry L. Ridon to exercise greater restraint in future public statements concerning the merits of the pending impeachment trial,” the court added.
Ridon was also warned that similar conduct in the future could result in more serious consequences.
The Senate impeachment court had earlier specified possible penalties for violations. A first offense may draw a public reprimand and admonition, while repeat violations could result in harsher sanctions, including a 30,000 fine and restrictions on participation in the proceedings.
