Defense lawyers in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial called for greater decorum Wednesday, objecting to a social media post by private prosecutor Atty. Amando Virgil Ligutan that noted even law students know that misleading questions cannot be asked.
The post came shortly after a courtroom dispute over whether such questions were permissible, adding another layer of tension to an already combative hearing. Lead defense counsel Atty. Sheila Sison said she found the post “troubling,” noting it violated Rule 18 of the impeachment court, which bars participants from commenting on the merits of the case. “I really find it in bad taste to do this at this time, and inappropriate to do that to a fellow member of the bar,” Sison said. Presiding officer Senator Francis Escudero barred Ligutan from immediately responding and said the court will rule Monday, adding that one side had been “crossing the line many, many times.…We have it all on tape.”
