Presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Screen grab from Senate of the Philippines/YouTube.
Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero urged the prosecution and defense panels on Wednesday to consider appointing spokespersons who are not part of their legal teams.
Escudero raised the proposal before the court adjourned proceedings in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
He reminded both camps that prosecutors, defense lawyers and witnesses are restricted from making certain public statements or disclosures about the case.
Escudero noted that Benjamin Tolosa, counsel for the prosecution, and Michael Poa, counsel for the Vice President, were also serving as their teams’ spokespersons.
While both lawyers had been careful in their media statements, he said handling the two roles could become more difficult as the trial progressed.
Escudero warned that counsel-spokespersons might eventually struggle to separate comments on the merits of the case from procedural observations, adding that the court would continue monitoring public statements.
House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro later said the prosecution team would discuss the suggestion with Tolosa and decide collectively on its next step.
Poa said the defense appreciated Escudero’s advice but would first consult Duterte, adding that he and Tolosa initially feared they would be reprimanded before realizing the presiding officer was acknowledging their efforts to exercise caution.