Sub judice rule reinstated on all VP Duterte impeachment charges—Senate court

MANILA — The sub judice rule, which bars parties from publicly commenting on merits of a case, has been reinstated on all articles of impeachment or charges against Vice President Sara Duterte, the Senate court ruled Friday.

This means that the prosecution and the defense teams as well as Duterte herself are again barred from issuing remarks pertaining to the core issues of all the four articles of impeachment against her.

These include the alleged grave threats, misuse of confidential funds, and bribery — the three accusations that the prosecution withdrew — as well as the unexplained wealth case, which is the only charge retained.

“[T]he sub judice principle under Rule XVIII of the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials shall APPLY WITH EQUAL FORCE TO ALL ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT, whether withdrawn or pending adjudication,” the order signed by presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero stated.

On Wednesday, the court received a manifestation filed by Duterte’s camp, saying that she is not waiving Rule XVIII and that the court should maintain and enforce the sub judice rule to preserve the integrity of the proceedings and ensure that her constitutional rights are respected. 

In his October ruling, Escudero relaxed the sub judice rule on the withdrawn articles, saying it gives Duterte greater leeway “to respond in the manner she may deem fit, both in this courtroom” and outside it.

Defense chief lawyer Sheila Sison had objected to the lifting of the sub judice rule and said it would allow “what seems to be an unregulated and unbridled exercise of statements that can be made before the public.”

The Senate impeachment court is set to resume Duterte’s trial on Monday, November 9.