Senate impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol said Presiding Officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero is drafting a ruling addressing violations of the impeachment rules, following recent incidents involving counsels and parties in the ongoing trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Tongol explained that under the rules, counsels, parties, private counsels, and senator-judges are barred from posting or commenting on the merits of the case, especially if such statements could damage the integrity and credibility of the impeachment proceedings.

He added that the impeachment court should not become a venue for trial by publicity or for lawyers to disparage one another.

On the possible penalties for violating the rules, Tongol said the most severe is detention, which may be imposed through a finding of direct or indirect contempt. Other sanctions include reprimand, admonishment, fines, and revocation of a counsel's right to appear before the court. He added that the impeachment court may also refer disciplinary sanctions to the Supreme Court.

Asked whether side comments made during proceedings could be considered a violation, Tongol said this is among the things that are, as much as possible, not allowed in court. "Very formal kami sa korte. Dapat you accord respect to a fellow lawyer," he said. (We are very formal in court. You should accord respect to a fellow lawyer.)

On the pace of the trial, Tongol said the court can still manage to hear one witness per day, though it is possible that two witnesses could be presented by Monday.

He also addressed the defense's right to cross-examine witnesses, explaining that this is granted to the respondent because of the presumption of innocence. 

According to Tongol, it is up to the prosecution to prove its case, while it is up to the defense to disprove it.

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