Impeachment court can cite counsels, witnesses in contempt – Tongol

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court may cite in contempt any participant in its proceedings if they disobey the court’s rules, spokesperson Reginald Tongol reminded the public on Thursday.

“Senator-judges have the power to move the presiding officer to cite a witness, any counsel, or any person within the vicinity—for example, someone making noise—in contempt,” Tongol told the media when asked how the impeachment court would address disrespectful behavior during proceedings.

“That is the extent of the court’s power to penalize any contemptuous act, but it has to be initiated by a party or a senator-judge before the court can act as a whole because the court is passive in such matters,” he added.

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READ: Sara Duterte impeachment: Defense, prosecution clash on secrecy

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READ: Highlights: Day 6 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | July 15, 2026

The Senate impeachment court is currently hearing the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte over allegations of grave threats, misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and unexplained wealth.

Tongol also enumerated the ways the court can punish contemptuous acts, similar to the sanctions the Senate may impose as a legislative body during hearings.

“There are many types of punishment or penalization for contemptuous actions. One is to reprimand, admonish, or warn them; another is to expel them, require them to pay a penalty, or even send them to prison,” he said in Filipino.

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In six trial days, only two witnesses have testified in Duterte’s impeachment trial so far.

There are still 86 scheduled trial days remaining in the vice president’s impeachment proceedings. /mcm

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