House prosecutor Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon is insisting on the necessity of the prosecution panel's press conferences on Vice President Sara Duterte's Senate impeachment trial.

This, as the prosecution panel faces the possibility of restrictions when it comes to publicly discussing the merits of trial, so as not violate the sub judice rules.

The prosecution panel has been very prolific when it comes to holding press briefings. Normally, it carries out three during hearings days from Monday to Wednesday, and one each during the non-hearing days of Thursday and Friday.

From Monday to Wednesday, the prosecutors and their spokespersons usually carry out pressers before, and after the hearing, plus one "quickie" during lunch break.

Ridon pointed out that as far as members of the prosecution panel are concerned, including their private counsels, they have not breached the sub judice rules.

“I think we have maintained yung pagtalima dun po sa (the observance of the) limits imposed by the rules of the Senate impeachment court,” he noted.

The lawyer-solon says the press briefings, interviews, and social media posts being made by prosecutors “are within the realm of informing the public, making it understandable to them".

According to Ridon, any limitation on speaking or posting on social media should not go against the need to inform the people about the trial.

"Mahalaga po na hindi po ito sasagka doon sa kahalagahan para maunawahan po ng publiko yung pang-araw-araw na takbo ng impeachment trial,” he said.

(It is important that this does not hinder the public’s understanding of the day-to-day conduct of the impeachment trial.)

Ridon noted that some discussions in the impeachment court have become so technical that they have to be explained to the public.

“Ngayon, very important din po for everyone to take note na talaga pong valid yung binabanggit na nagging very technical at over-judicialized yung pong proceedings,” he said.

(Now, it is also very important for everyone to note that the proceedings have indeed become very technical and over-judicialized.)

The solon-prosecutor said it would not serve the public if the opposing parties were restrained from their duty to explain what went on inside the impeachment court.

“Bawat piraso ng ebidensiya, technical man ito, ay dapat naipapaliwanag ng prosecution, ng depensa, ng impeachment court mismo sa ating baong bayan,” he stressed.

(Every piece of evidence, whether technical or not, should be explained by the prosecution, the defense, and the impeachment court itself to our people.)