Garin condemns online bullying of impeachment prosecutors

MANILA – House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin on Friday hit back at supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte for bullying House prosecutors, calling on the public to focus on the evidence rather than personal attacks.

The condemnation came after social media posts and memes mocked lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro for visible saliva during her opening remarks, and prosecution counsel Amando Virgil Ligutan for an apparent runny nose while presenting evidence.

Asked to comment as a physician during a press briefing, Garin said the attacks reflected a decline in public discourse and had no medical or scientific basis.

“Unang-una, ikinagugulat ko bakit ba tayo pumupunta sa ganung kababa ng discourse (First of all, I couldn’t believe how low our level of discourse had gotten),” Garin said.

READ: Who is Amando Virgil Ligutan, Cebu’s top litigator as prosecutor in VP Duterte trial?

The former Department of Health (DOH) secretary said saliva and dry mouth are normal physiological conditions caused by dehydration, prolonged speaking, or certain medications, while colds result from viral infections.

“Saliva is part of a normal person. At kapag medyo nade-dehydrate ka, o ikaw ay umiinom ng maintenance medications, kaakibat nito ay talagang medyo nagkakaroon ng dryness. Normal ba ito (And when you’re slightly dehydrated, or you’re taking maintenance medications, as a consequence of it there would really be dryness. Is it normal)? Yes! So why focus on that?” she said.

Garin also dismissed online claims that saliva or colds indicate dishonesty.

READ: Prosecutors, Palace dare VP Duterte’s team: Prove ‘Operation Romanov’

“Never in the history of the medical community has colds or sipon (mucus) been a cause of lying,” she said, adding that the attacks distract from the issues before the Senate impeachment court.

Calling the online ridicule bullying, Garin said the prosecution panel was simply carrying out its constitutional duty.

“Kailangan bang pagtawanan ‘yan (Is it right to ridicule that)? No! It’s actually bullying. The prosecutors are just doing their job,” she said.

She also urged the public to stop spreading misinformation and focus on the merits of the impeachment case.

Meanwhile, House prosecutor Manila Rep. Joel Chua said appearing before the Senate impeachment court is physically demanding.

“Nandoon din ‘yung stress, nandoon din po ‘yung tension (There is stress and tension),” he said.

Chua recalled that prosecutors were initially not allowed to bring drinking water into the session hall, and thanked Senator Pia Cayetano for later proposing that prosecutors be allowed to have water during the proceedings. (PNA)

READ: Garin to Sara Duterte: Impeachment is about accountability, not politics

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