MANILA – Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo on Monday urged Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero to issue a warning to the Senate impeachment court’s spokesperson over statements concerning the timetable of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
During Day 33 of the proceedings, Tulfo said several people contacted him over the weekend after spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol reportedly made remarks suggesting that a final verdict could be issued on December 16.
“It’s about time na mag-issue tayo ng warning sa sarili nating spokesperson,” Tulfo said, noting that the prosecution and defense spokespersons had previously been warned over public statements.
Tulfo said the reported remarks created an impression among some people that the outcome of the impeachment proceedings had already been prejudged.
“Maybe it’s about time na para i-admonish mo siya, Mr. Presiding Officer, kasi this is not the first time,” Tulfo told Escudero.
Escudero, however, clarified during the proceedings that reports regarding a December 16 final verdict were “not entirely accurate.” He said any statements regarding the trial timetable could only be based on the impeachment court’s pre-trial order.
CAPTION
‘IT’S ABOUT TIME NA MAG-ISSUE TAYO NG WARNING’
Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo urged Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero to admonish impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol over remarks reportedly referring to a December 16 final verdict in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Tulfo said the remarks prompted concerns from people who contacted him that the outcome had already been prejudged. Escudero later clarified that the reported December 16 timeline was “not entirely accurate.”
