MANILA — Senator Panfilo Lacson called on the Senate Impeachment Court to advise both the prosecution and defense panels to refrain from making public comments on the merits of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a statement, Lacson said such a move would help preserve the integrity of the impeachment proceedings and prevent the case from being tried in the court of public opinion.

“Even before the impeachment trial begins on July 6, a separate trial before the bar of public opinion is already ongoing. The impeachment court should advise both the prosecution and defense panels to refrain from openly commenting on the merits of the case at bar,” Lacson said in a post on X.

Lacson, who will serve as one of the senator-judges during the trial, clarified that his concern only covers public statements on the substance of the case and not discussions about the impeachment process or procedural matters.

“Merits of the case lang ang concern ko (My only concern is the merits of the case); nothing to do with the process and other similar points of information that the public may appreciate,” he said.

The appeal came a day after the conclusion of the impeachment pre-trial proceedings, during which the House prosecution panel, the Vice President’s defense team, and the Impeachment Clerk of Court marked evidence and identified witnesses for the trial.

Senate Secretary and Impeachment Clerk of Court Renato Bantug Jr. earlier said the impeachment trial will be conducted every Monday to Wednesday at 2 p.m. before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address on July 27.

Following the SONA, trial sessions will be held every Tuesday to Thursday at 2 p.m.