Rowegie Abanto

(From left) Benjamin Tolosa, Francis Escudero, and Michael Poa. Photos by Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News; and Joseph B. Vidal, Senate Social Media Unit

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784714541910composites 2 (1) (17).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="(From left) Benjamin Tolosa, Francis Escudero, and Michael Poa. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News; and Joseph B. Vidal, Senate Social Media Unit"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">(From left) Benjamin Tolosa, Francis Escudero, and Michael Poa. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News; and Joseph B. Vidal, Senate Social Media Unit</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Presiding officer Francis Escudero on Wednesday urged the defense and prosecution teams in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to appoint a spokesperson who would not also serve as a counsel in the trial.</p><p>Senator-judge Escudero, at the end of Wednesday&#x27;s trial, noted that both parties employ a spokesperson who doubles either as a lawyer for the defense or the prosecution.</p><p><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/22/benjamin-tolosa-jr-named-house-prosecution-legal-spokesperson-1453">Benjamin Tolosa</a> is a registered counsel in the impeachment proceeding and at the same time serves as the legal spokesperson for the panel of prosecutors, while <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/15/defense-says-subpoena-for-duterte-bank-tax-records-a-weapon-of-fishing-expedition-1531">Michael Poa is also a registered counsel</a> and a designated spokesman for the defense, Escudero pointed out.</p><p>While both men have so far been &quot;very careful&quot; with issuing statements outside of the trial, the presiding officer cautioned that the proceeding might soon &quot;take its toll&quot; on their ability to distinguish between the merits of the case and purely procedural observations and/or facts.</p><p>Laywers are typically barred from issuing comments on the merits of the cases they handle.</p><p>&quot;You might want to consider ... nominating a spokesperson as purely a spokesperson that is not limited by the Rules of the Impeachment Court with respect to what he or she can say,&quot; Escudero said.</p><p>&quot;Because for your information, the court will be monitoring the statements being issued by the counsels for the parties.&quot;</p><p>Impeachment Court spokesperson Atty. Reginald Tongol later stated that both parties may designate new spokespersons, in light of Escudero&#x27;s observation.</p><p>He did clarify that so far, the impeachment court has not flagged any statements made by either Poa or Tolosa that would constitute a violation of the sub judice rule.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/22/-normal-to-interview-witness-before-impeachment-trial-tolosa-0029">‘Normal’ to interview witness before impeachment trial – Tolosa</a></div><p>Escudero meanwhile ordered the clerk of court to issue subpoenas to Violeta Constantino, former branch manager of Land Bank of the Philippines Shaw Boulevard branch, and Nenita Camposano, former branch manager of LBP Department of Education branch.</p><p>This is to compel their attendance in the resumption of trial on Wednesday, July 29, at 10 a.m.  -- <strong>with a report from Darylle Sarmiento, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/21/escudero-says-impeachment-trial-suspended-next-monday-tuesday-for-sona-1938">Escudero says impeachment trial suspended next Monday, Tuesday for SONA; sets new trial schedule</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V-ELTBw9uOM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Presiding officer Francis Escudero on Wednesday urged the defense and prosecution teams in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to appoint a spokesperson who would not also serve as a counsel in the trial.</p>

Presiding officer Francis Escudero on Wednesday urged the defense and prosecution teams in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to appoint a spokesperson who would not also serve as a counsel in the trial.

Escudero urges defense, prosecution to appoint spokesperson who won't double as counsel

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Escudero urges defense, prosecution to appoint spokesperson who won't double as counsel

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 22, 2026 06:08 PM PHT

|

Updated July 22, 2026 07:20 PM PHT

Read More:

Sara Duterte

Impeachment Trial

Senate Trial

Sara Duterte Trial

Senate

Impeachment

Francis Escudero

Benjamin Tolosa

Michael Poa

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