Senators not inclined to support proposed gag order during impeach trial—Sotto

MANILA, Philippines – Many senators are not inclined to support the proposed gag order to be imposed on them during the impeachment trial of Ombudsman Meceditas Gutierrez, saying they will be cited for contempt if they violate this rule, Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said on Wednesday.

Sotto revealed that the majority of the senators were against the proposal, which has become the “crucial” issue in the plenary debates on the proposed rules of procedure on impeachment trials.

“Hindi e [No],” he told reporters when asked of the sentiment of the majority regarding the proposal.

“Kaya nga sabi ko itong particular na issue na ito [That’s why I said, it’s this particular issue], I’ m caught between the devil and the deep blue sea,” he said.

“The deep blue sea is Miriam. Now the devil, I refuse to incriminate myself,” Sotto said in jest, referring to Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who did not only propose a gag order until there was a final judgment but also a prohibition on the use of cellphone texting and Internet chatting during the proceeding.

While he agreed with Santiago’s proposal against texting and Internet chatting, Sotto said many of them preferred that they should still be allowed to be interviewed by media except during the actual impeachment proceeding.

If the proposed gag order will be adopted in the plenary, Sotto said, anyone who will violate it may be cited for contempt.

But under the existing rule, Sotto said, the Senate President, who will sit as presiding officer in the impeachment trial of the Ombudsman, may declare a member of the Senate out or order.