Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero clarified that witness Lemuel Ortonio was not wearing an earpiece when he took the witness stand at Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial last week, contrary to claims and speculations by netizens.
Escudero said one image being circulated of Ortonio, assistant chief of staff at the Office of the Vice President, was generated through artificial intelligence and was simply false.
He said what Ortonio had was an ear piercing in the front fold helix of his ear.
It was not an earpiece, he said.
At the same time, he issued a reminder that communication devices and gadgets capable of receiving information are not allowed for witnesses.
The witnesses also cannot receive outside communications through any kind of signal while testifying, he said.
He said that under the rules, the witnesses should provide their own account, not one scripted or choreographed by any party.
“Accordingly, no witness while testifying shall possess, have access to or use any earpiece, headset, cell phone, smart watch, smart glasses, or any other similar device capable of transmitting or receiving information or communication. Witnesses are also prohibited from receiving or attempting to receive any communication, suggestion, answer, signal, message, or prompt for any person, whether inside or outside this court, regardless of the means employed,” he said.