MANILA — A House impeachment team official on Saturday appealed for some flexibility in enforcing the sub judice rule in Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial, saying factual explanations should be allowed as long as they do not discuss the merits of the case or influence senator-judges.

House impeachment team adviser and spokesperson Ace Barbers said prosecutors should be allowed to relay facts and statements already presented in open court without commenting on witness credibility or the weight of evidence.

“Personally ako, ang aking apela ay magkaroon ng leniency. Payagan ang ating ibang mga prosecutors as long as hindi sila magdi-discuss ng merito na makakapag-influence sa desisyon na maaaring gawin ng ating mga senator-judges,” Barbers said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

Senate impeachment court Presiding Officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero ruled Wednesday that the sub judice restrictions apply to the prosecution, defense, Duterte, their lawyers and senator-judges.

The ruling bars public comments on disputed facts, witness credibility, the weight or sufficiency of evidence, the legal viability of charges or defenses, and the possible outcome of the trial.

Barbers said the House impeachment team would comply with the ruling despite his appeal for greater latitude.

“We will abide by the decision of the court, we will follow and comply with whatever directives that the presiding officer and the whole impeachment court has announced,” said Barbers, a former Surigao del Norte representative.

He said some flexibility could be considered given the unique nature of impeachment proceedings and the public interest in understanding the trial.

“Sabi nga, itong impeachment ay sui generis. Baka sakaling pwedeng medyo luwag-luwagan natin dahil ang pinaka-objective sana ay ma-inform ang publiko kung ano iyong totoong nangyayari,” he said.

Barbers said designated spokespersons for both the prosecution and defense could help provide accurate information about proceedings and counter misinformation.

“Itong pag-a-appoint ng mga designated spokespersons sa bawat panig, iyong defense at iyong prosecution, ay para magkaroon ng tama, accurate, at hindi fake news na mga impormasyon sa labas ng ating korte,” he said.

He also said the sub judice restrictions should be applied consistently to all those covered by the ruling, including senator-judges.