00:00Having addressed the conduct expected of Senator Judges, the Chair now turns to Rule 18 and the persons expressly covered
00:05by it.
00:06The Chair makes this ruling not only in response to the manifestation and motion made by Council for the Respondent
00:11Attorney Sheila Sison on August 12,
00:13and after due consideration of Attorney Ligutan's explanation, but also on the basis of the Chair's independent findings of seeming
00:19violations of Rule 18.
00:22These incidents come after the Chair's earlier advice to both panels to designate their respective spokespersons
00:27so that the necessary and appropriate communications may be made within the limits prescribed by the Rules.
00:33Since that advice has not been fully observed, the Chair now finds it necessary to restate and strictly enforce those
00:40restrictions.
00:41Article 18 of the Rules on Impeachment provides,
00:44The presiding officer, the members of the Senate, shall refrain from making any comments and disclosures in public pertaining to
00:52the merits of a pending impeachment trial.
00:54The same shall likewise apply to the prosecutors, the person impeached, and their respective counsel and witnesses.
01:02This rule exists to balance the public's right to information on matters of public concern with the need to protect
01:08the integrity of the proceedings from public prejudgment.
01:12The rules of court apply only supletorily to these proceedings.
01:16When the Rules on Impeachment expressly and specifically govern a matter, they control.
01:21Since Rule 18 directly governs public comments and disclosures pertaining to the merits of the pending impeachment trial,
01:28it is for this Court, in the exercise of its authority and sound discretion, to determine whether a particular statement
01:34violates that rule.
01:36Henceforth, with respect to prior statements or conduct covered by Rule 18,
01:41the court shall extend grace, exercise liberality, and wipe the slate clean.
01:47Tabula rasa, so to speak.
01:49From this point forward, however, Rule 18 shall be strictly enforced and be given full force in effect.
01:55Accordingly, the Chair hereby strictly enjoins all persons covered by Rule 18.
02:01You know who you are, and based on the records, we know who you are.
02:05From making public statements or otherwise discussing, sharing, or endorsing comments pertaining to the merits of this pending impeachment trial,
02:12and from engaging in trial by publicity, as they directly threaten the independence of the court,
02:19degrade the dignity of the tribunal and risk turning it into a circus,
02:22and weaponize the media to substitute public outrage for actual evidence.
02:30We are in receipt of the appearances of the parties.
02:34So, uncovered po ng Rule 18 would be all those who appeared, both from the panel of prosecutors and the
02:44council for the panel of prosecutors.
02:46Chair earlier reminded the parties, designate a specific spokesperson.
02:54Wala pong problema kung hindi naman sa kasama sa panel.
02:58Walang problema kung hindi siya kasama sa council for the panel of prosecutors.
03:02The spokespersons are free to say whatever they want to say, but not in their limitations insofar as the panel
03:10of prosecutors
03:11and the council for the panel of prosecutors is concerned.
03:17Clearly, up to today, the spokespersons are still part of the council for the parties, some with more violations than
03:29others.
03:30So, without enumerating the councils where this rule applies, I think you know who you are, given the entries of
03:36appearance you've already made.
03:39These restrictions apply with particular force, not only to council for the parties, but also to us, senator judges, and
03:45all other persons whose public statements are governed by Rule 18.
03:49Rule 18 may specific mention of the respondent.
03:52It does not make mention of the complainants in this case, given the public nature of this case.
03:58So, outside of the senator judges, outside of the councils for the parties, particularly mentioned would be the respondent herself,
04:06as well as the witnesses called.
04:10Third ruling.
04:20Third ruling.
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