Friday, July 10, 2026

House prosecutors reject VP Sara's 'politicking' claim vs. gov't execs

 



From the Website of PNA
links:  https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1279167


Lawmaker rejects China’s claims on Batanes

links:   https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1279178

 

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House prosecutors reject VP Sara's 'politicking' claim vs. gov't execs

MANILA – House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Janette Garin on Friday condemned what she described as bullying of House prosecutors by supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte, urging the public to focus on the evidence and arguments instead of personal attacks.

The criticism followed social media posts and memes mocking lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro over visible saliva during her opening statement and prosecution counsel Amando Virgil Ligutan over his 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.

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.

"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)

 


 

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