MANILA — A House leader on Friday criticized social media users for ridiculing prosecutors handling the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying personal attacks have no place in public debate and only distract from the proceedings.
Deputy Speaker Janette Garin took issue with online posts mocking lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro over visible saliva during her opening presentation and prosecution counsel Amando Virgil Ligutan for appearing to suffer from a runny nose while presenting evidence before the Senate impeachment court.
Drawing on her medical background as a physician and former Department of Health secretary, Garin said the conditions cited in the posts are common and medically explainable.
She said dry mouth and increased saliva may occur because of dehydration, lengthy speaking engagements, or certain maintenance medications, while colds are caused by viral infections. She rejected suggestions circulating online that either condition could be interpreted as a sign of dishonesty.
According to Garin, such claims have no scientific basis and merely shift public attention away from the substance of the impeachment trial.
She described the online ridicule as bullying and emphasized that the House prosecutors are performing a constitutional responsibility in presenting the case before the Senate.
Garin urged the public to evaluate the evidence and legal arguments instead of engaging in personal criticism or spreading misleading information.
House prosecutor Manila Rep. Joel Chua, for his part, said participating in the impeachment proceedings is physically taxing because of the pressure and tension involved.
He added that prosecutors were initially barred from bringing drinking water into the session hall but later received permission after Senator Pia Cayetano raised the matter during the proceedings.
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