Propaganda materials banned inside Senate on impeachment trial

DAY IN COURT. The Senate session hall has been spruced up, redesigned and all’s set for the start of the unprecedented impeachment trial of a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on Jan. 16. RICHARD REYES

MANILA, Philippines — Propaganda shirts, pins and other propaganda paraphernalia will be banned inside the Senate when the impechment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona begins next week, a Senate official said on Thursday.

Wearing of sleeveless t-shirts and slippers, according to Anthony Samonte, security support service director of the Senate Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms (OSSAA), will also be strictly prohibited inside the Senate session hall.

“The public is encouragaed to wear shirts or blouses with collars to be able to enter the plenary hall,” Samonte said in a statement.

“Propaganda shirts, pins, IDs or other propaganda paraphernalia will strictly not be allowed inside the building,” he added.

Because of limited space, Senate Secretary Emma Lirio- Reyes said the Senate could only accomodate a total of 175 guests “from the general public” daily inside the plenary hall  on a first-come first served basis.

“Only one pass will be issued for every individual,” Reyes said.

Twenty-five passes, she said, would also be given to senior citizens.

About 40 anti-riot policemen will be posred near the Film Center of the Philippines “to defuse possible demonstrations,” said OSSAA Security Enforcement Service Director Manuel Parlade.