Senator-judges, counsels barred from speaking on merits of impeachment case vs VP Sara | GMA News

The Senate impeachment court on Wednesday barred senator-judges, as well as counsels of both the prosecution and the defense, from speaking on the merits of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero said the ruling is in compliance with Article 18 of the Rules on Impeachment which provides that the presiding officer, the members of the Senate, “shall refrain from making any comments and disclosures in public pertaining to the merits of a pending impeachment trial” and that “the same shall likewise apply to the prosecutors, the person impeached, and their respective counsel and witnesses.” “The Chair hereby strictly enjoins all persons covered by Rule 18, you know who you are, and based on the records, we know who you are, from making public statements or otherwise discussing, sharing, or endorsing comments pertaining to the merits of this pending impeachment trial, and from engaging in trial by publicity, as they directly threaten the court, degrade the dignity of the tribunal and risk turning it into a circus, and weaponize the media to substitute public outrage for actual evidence,” he said. “This rule exists to balance the public's right to information on matters of public concern with the need to protect the integrity of the proceedings from public prejudgment,” he added. Watch the LIVE special coverage of the Day 19 impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte with The Vice President on Trial: GMA News Special Coverage. The session is expected to continue the testimony and examination of Office of the Vice President Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio on the audit findings involving the Vice President’s confidential funds, including documents and transactions under scrutiny. Follow the latest developments as the prosecution and defense panels present their arguments before the Senate impeachment court, and the senator-judges consider the evidence and issues raised in the proceedings. Stay informed with comprehensive, balanced, and up-to-date reporting as GMA News brings you live coverage of the 19th day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial. Get the latest developments, live proceedings, expert analysis, and real-time updates from the Senate, with accurate, in-depth coverage of one of the country's most significant political events. Stream our special coverage of the 19th day of the impeachment trial on August 26, 2026, airing on GTV and streaming live across the official GMA News digital platforms. #VPOnTrial #SaraDuterteImpeachment #ImpeachmentTrialDay19 #SenatePH #SenateofthePhilippines #GMANewsLive #GMANews #Duterte #SaraDuterte #Impeachment #VPSara #VPSaraDuterte #GMANews #SerbisyongTotoo #BreakingNews #VPonTrial Watch the latest news stories from GMA Network's trusted news programs on the GMA Play app. Download now on Google Play and App Store. Also available on GMANetwork.com/GMAPlay and Android TVs! GMA Network promotes healthy debate and conversation online. Any abusive language that does not facilitate productive discourse will be blocked from this post. For more updates, visit this link:    • 24 Oras and 24 Oras Weekend Express [HD]   For live updates and highlights, click here:    • GMA News Highlights   Breaking news and stories from the Philippines and abroad: GMA News Portal: http://www.gmanews.tv YouTube:    / @gmanews   Facebook:   / gmanews   TikTok:   / gmanews   Twitter:   / gmanews   Instagram:   / gmanews   GMA Network Kapuso programs on GMA Pinoy TV: https://gmapinoytv.com/subscribe