What prompted Escudero’s reminder on digital devices ban at impeachment trial?

PRESIDING OFFICER. Impeachment court presiding officer Chz Escudero at the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on August 26, 2026.

Joseph Vidal/Senate Social Media Unit

Impeachment court presiding officer Chiz Escudero debunks social media posts showing OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio purportedly wearing an earpiece while testifying during Duterte's impeachment trial

Over the weekend, some netizens spotted what seemed like an earpiece purportedly worn by Office of Vice President (OVP) Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio as he testified at the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte earlier in the week.

The photos went viral, with some social media users speculating he was being coached, some even linking the appearance of OVP Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez at the Senate with his testimonies. 

But was Ortonio indeed being assisted in his testimony?  

On Day 20 of the impeachment trial, presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero put the matter to rest as he debunked the social media posts. He said that upon verification, the viral photos were confirmed to be generated through artificial intelligence (AI). 

“Hindi totoo ‘yung mga lumalabas na litrato na diumano mayroong earpiece si Mr. Ortonio, ‘yun po ay AI. What he had was an ear piercing in the front fold helix of his ear, not an earpiece,” said Escudero. 

(The photos circulating online that Mr. Ortonio was purportedly wearing an earpiece was false. It was AI-generated. What he had was an ear piercing in the front fold helix of his ear, not an earpiece.)

Escudero said the controversy underscored the “need for a uniform safeguard,” prompting him to remind witnesses about the ban on the use of any hearing, listening, or electronic device during their testimonies. He also said they must testify “solely from his or her knowledge free from coaching or influence from counsel or any other person.” 

He then directed the clerk of court to inform the witnesses about the ban, secure their electronic devices before taking the stand, and obtain their express consent vowing they would testify based only on their own will and without assistance from any device.

“Accordingly, no witness while testifying shall possess, have access to, or use any earpiece, headsets, cellphones, smart watch, smart glasses or any other similar device capable of transmitting or receiving information or communication,” Escudero said. 

“Witnesses are also prohibited from receiving or attempting to receive any communications, suggestion, answer signal, message or prompt for any person whether inside or outside of this court, regardless of the means employed. The prohibition shall remain enforced during recesses and until the witness is formally discharged by the court,” he added. 

Legitimate alias vs fake name

During the trial, Senator-judge Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also made a manifestation, this time clarifying the difference between the use of alias and fictitious names. 

Sotto cited Republic Act (RA) No. 6085 or the Anti-Alias Law, saying the use of pseudonyms is “permitted only for literary, cinema, television, radio, athletic, or other entertainment purposes, provided an actual living person is behind the name.”

“If there is a person behind the alias, then it is an alias. If there is no person behind the name, it is a fictitious name or a fake name,” he said. 

Sotto, in raising the manifestation, rejected news reports that House private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia was not given the chance to answer Senator-judge Robin Padilla during his interjection over the use of aliases in the documents tied to the OVP’s confidential funds.  

“We confirm that indeed, Atty. Mae was able to give an answer to the query of Senator-judge Padilla, also she was not able to give that much detail that the good senator-judge made,” Escudero said. 

There were 16 senator-judges at the impeachment trial on Tuesday, September 1. Among those absent was Senator-judge Loren Legarda, who remains under extended medical leave until Wednesday, September 2. – Rappler.com