Amando Ligutan, a prosecution counsel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, defended his controversial Facebook post during court proceedings on August 26, 2026. Ligutan emphasized that his motivation stemmed from his background as a teacher.
In his post, Ligutan responded to defense counsel Kristine Ferrer's claim that misleading questions could be permissible. He expressed concern that such statements might mislead the public.
Tungkulin ng Guro o Paglabag sa Korte?
Pumasok ang instinct ng aking guro.
Amando Ligutan, Prosecution Counsel
Ligutan remarked, "Why post on Facebook? Why not? Yes, I am a lawyer, but first and foremost, I am a teacher." This action prompted criticism from the defense, which deemed it unprofessional.
Presiding Officer Francis Escudero responded to Ligutan's actions by invoking Rule 18 of the impeachment court, which prohibits public commentary on ongoing trial matters. Escudero stressed the importance of separating personal opinions from professional responsibilities.
Escudero stated, "You have to unbundle and decouple it. If you are counsel for the parties, you cannot comment on the merits outside of a fair and true report of what happened."
The court has implemented strict penalties for violations of this rule, including reprimands and fines. Escudero also suggested that both sides appoint spokespersons to handle external communications.
This incident highlights the ongoing tension between social media engagement and legal protocol, raising questions about the role of public commentary in high-profile legal proceedings.