Manila: Senator-judges have been instructed to save their personal grievances and accusations for the regular sessions resuming after the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, as ruled by the impeachment court's presiding officer, Senator Francis Escudero, on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, this decision came on the seventh day of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte's impeachment trial, following disagreements between Senator-Judges Alan Peter Cayetano and Francis Pangilinan over whether unrelated issues could be discussed in court. Escudero emphasized that the regular Senate session would be the appropriate venue for airing grievances and addressing allegations involving senator-judges in their capacity as legislators.

The issue emerged when Senator-Judge Robinhood Padilla denied claims of ignoring the Office of the Ombudsman, asserting that he had submitted a counter-affidavit concerning an obstruction complaint linked to allegations against Senator Ronald Dela Rosa. Senator-Judge Erwin Tulfo urged his colleagues to refrain from using the impeachment court's time for unrelated matters, stressing that the proceedings should focus solely on the Vice President's trial.

Cayetano cited impeachment Rule 6, suggesting that senators could address personal and collective privileges if they felt threatened or aggrieved. However, Pangilinan contested this interpretation, stating that Rule 6 pertains to evidence matters in the impeachment trial, not privileged speeches.

Escudero ruled to keep Padilla's manifestation in the trial record but suggested that the Senate, acting as a legislative body, could address the matter later. He referenced a precedent involving a speech by the late Senator Rene Cayetano, which was retained in the impeachment record but referred to the Senate for further action.