Rowegie Abanto

The Senate, which sits as an impeachment court. Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit/File

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<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/1786606607977composites 2 (1) (24).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Senate, which sits as an impeachment court. <em>Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit/File</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Lawyer Reginald Tongol, impeachment court spokesperson, on Thursday explained the penalties that might be imposed on lawyers who violate the sub judice rule, which prohibits counsels and members of the court from publicly discussing the merits of a case.</div><p>Senator-judge Francis Escudero, the presiding officer in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, will issue a ruling Monday next week on the issue of &quot;several&quot; violations of the Rule 18 of the Senate Impeachment Rules, which touches on the sub judice rule.</p><p>Escudero disclosed the matter as the defense team Wednesday raised concerns over the Facebook post of private prosecutor Amando Ligutan that seemingly <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/12/tension-giggles-in-senate-court-as-counsels-spar-in-cross-1341">alluded to a point of contention</a> in the exchange of counsels for both parties during cross-examination.</p><p>The defense alleged that the social media post could be a violation of the rule, a claim <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/12/ligutan-maintains-no-malice-with-social-media-post-on-misleading-questions-1752">Ligutan rejected</a>.</p><p>&quot;I asked the clerk of court to monitor the public statements of the counsels of the parties this past week, and one side has been crossing the line many, many times,&quot; Escudero said following <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/12/sheila-sison-castigates-amando-ligutan-over-socmed-post-on-misleading-questions-1736">the manifestation of lead defense counsel</a> Sheila Sison.</p><p>&quot;I can even name all of you who have been commenting on social media in violation of the Rule 18 of the impeachment rules,&quot; he said before fellow senator-judges and parties in the case.</p><p>Tongol said violators of the sub judice rule may be cited for contempt of court, and detention may follow.</p><p>They may also face fines or receive admonition from the court that could result in them being administratively liable for misdemeanor, he said.</p><p>Based on the Rules of Court, which the Senate impeachment court has been adopting for the trial, the tribunal is &quot;well empowered&quot; to implement future orders to ensure that the proceedings&#x27; integrity and credibility are respected, said Tongol.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y8GGnkwHosc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Lawyer Reginald Tongol, Impeachment court spokesperson, on Thursday explained the penalties that might be imposed on lawyers who violate the sub judice rule, which prohibits counsels and members of the court from publicly discussing the merits of a case.</p>

Lawyer Reginald Tongol, Impeachment court spokesperson, on Thursday explained the penalties that might be imposed on lawyers who violate the sub judice rule, which prohibits counsels and members of the court from publicly discussing the merits of a case.

Impeach court spox explains penalties vs lawyers who violate sub judice rule

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Impeach court spox explains penalties vs lawyers who violate sub judice rule

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 13, 2026 04:03 PM PHT

Read More:

Reginald Tongol

Francis Escudero

Sara Duterte

Impeachment Trial

Senate Trial

Sara Duterte Trial

Senate

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