Senator-judges won’t use mobile phones during trial, Honasan says

MANILA, Philippines – Senators, who will act as judges at the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, agreed in a caucus on Monday not to use their mobile phones during the proceedings and to wear their robes everyday.

“Silent lahat ng phone [All phones will be silent]. If you want to text or make or accept calls, you have to go outside the plenary,” Senator Gringo Honasan said over the phone.

“It’s our primary duty. There’s [no] need to entertain calls or text. Nasa live coverage tapos makikita na na petext-text lang [We’re in a liove coverage and we will be seen texting]?” he said.

Honasan said they also agreed to wear their robes during the trial to show that it was a “dignified, solemn, and serious process.”

“We are required to wear it everyday because this is a different process so it’s better for senator-judges to show that this is a dignified, solemn and serious process.”