MANILA — House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro has apologized after photographs of impeachment prosecutors striking playful poses inside the Senate Session Hall went viral, drawing a sharp rebuke from Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian for what he described as disrespectful behavior in one of the country’s most important legislative chambers.
The controversy erupted after images showing members of the House prosecution panel posing inside the session hall during a break in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio circulated online, raising questions about the prosecutors’ conduct and respect for the institution.
Gatchalian criticized the behavior as inappropriate, stressing that the Senate Session Hall deserves the highest respect because it serves as the venue for deliberations on crucial legislation and matters of national importance.
“Ang session hall at Senado ay sagrado ito dahil dito natin ginagawa marami sa mga mahahalaga nating batas, mga pinaguusapan nating mahahalagang issues. So dapat respetuhin natin itong institusyon na ito. Hindi naman tama na may ginagawa kang katawa-tawa sa loob ng ating institusyon,” Gatchalian said.
The Senate president also ordered the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to examine the circulating photographs amid concerns over the conduct of visitors inside the chamber.
Responding to the criticism, Luistro expressed regret over the incident and clarified that the prosecution panel never intended to insult the Senate, disrespect its members or trivialize the impeachment proceedings.
She explained that the photographs were taken during a break in the proceedings, when members of the prosecution team welcomed an opportunity to relax after months of hearings and preparations.
Luistro maintained that the prosecutors held the Senate and its members in high regard, emphasizing that their actions were not meant to undermine the dignity of the institution.
The incident has drawn attention to the conduct expected of officials and lawyers participating in impeachment proceedings, particularly inside the Senate chamber, which serves as the impeachment court.
The House prosecution panel is tasked with presenting the impeachment case against Duterte-Carpio, a politically sensitive proceeding that has placed both chambers of Congress under intense public scrutiny.
While Luistro sought to explain the circumstances surrounding the photographs, Gatchalian’s criticism underscored the importance of maintaining decorum and institutional dignity, even during breaks in official proceedings.
The controversy also highlighted the heightened public expectations surrounding the impeachment trial, where the conduct of those involved can attract scrutiny beyond the legal arguments presented before the Senate.
Luistro’s apology was intended to put the incident to rest, although the Senate’s examination of the photographs could determine whether further action is warranted./PN
