MANILA — The Senate impeachment court has tightened its rules on communication devices during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte after an AI-generated image falsely showed a witness wearing an earpiece while testifying.

Senate Impeachment Trial Court Presiding Officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday ordered court personnel to collect communication-capable devices from witnesses before they take the stand and require them to expressly confirm that they understand and will follow the court’s rules.

The directive came after an altered image of Office of the Vice President Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio circulated online, appearing to show him wearing an earpiece during his testimony last week.

Escudero clarified that Ortonio was not using an earpiece.

“Again, to reiterate, what he had was a front-fold helix. An ear piercing in the front-fold helix of his ear, not an earpiece,” Escudero said.

Ortonio testified before the impeachment court on August 25 as a prosecution witness in connection with the OVP’s use of confidential funds. He was later declared a hostile witness.

Under the court’s rules, witnesses are prohibited from using earpieces, headsets, cellphones, smartwatches, smart glasses and other devices capable of transmitting or receiving information.

Witnesses are also barred from receiving any communication, suggestion, answer, signal, message or prompt from anyone inside or outside the impeachment court while they are testifying.

The restriction will remain in effect even during recesses until the witness is formally discharged by the court.

Escudero stressed that every witness must testify solely based on their own knowledge and without coaching or outside influence.

The impeachment court clerk has been directed to inform witnesses of the restrictions, secure prohibited devices before they are sworn in, and place on record their confirmation that they understand the rules.

Violations may be dealt with using the impeachment court’s disciplinary powers.

The directive took effect immediately and will apply to succeeding witnesses in Duterte’s impeachment trial.

‍