A viral artificial intelligence or AI-generated image falsely showing an impeachment witness wearing an earpiece has prompted the Senate impeachment court to tighten safeguards against outside coaching and influence during testimony.
Before the resumption of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero ordered court personnel to secure communication-capable devices from witnesses before they take the stand and obtain their express commitment to comply with the court’s rules.
“Every witness must testify nevertheless, solely from his or her own knowledge, free from coaching or influence from counsel or any other person,” Escudero said.
The directive followed the online circulation of an altered image of Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio, who testified before the impeachment court last week.
Escudero categorically dismissed claims that Ortonio had been receiving information through an earpiece while on the witness stand.
“Again, to reiterate, what he had was a front-fold helix. An ear piercing in the front-fold helix of his ear, not an earpiece,” he said.
Ortonio appeared before the court on Aug. 25 as a prosecution witness on the OVP’s use of confidential funds and was subsequently declared a hostile witness.
Escudero said the court’s existing prohibition covers earpieces, headsets, cellphones, smartwatches, smart glasses, and similar devices capable of transmitting or receiving information.
Witnesses are also barred from receiving or attempting to receive any communication, suggestion, answer, signal, message, or prompt from anyone inside or outside the court, regardless of the means used.
The restriction will remain in force during recesses and until the witness is formally discharged by the court.
Escudero cited, by analogy, Section 21 of the Supreme Court’s amended Guidelines on the Conduct of Videoconferencing, which prohibits the use of cellphones, tablets, and similar gadgets and materials to prevent coaching and disturbance.
The same guidelines classify the coaching of a witness and knowingly presenting falsified digital images or evidence as gross misconduct and direct contempt of court.
Escudero directed the impeachment court clerk to inform every witness of the rules before testifying, secure prohibited communication devices before the witness is sworn in, and obtain an express confirmation on record that the directive is understood and will be followed.
Violations will be dealt with under the impeachment court’s disciplinary powers.
The directive took effect immediately and will apply to succeeding witnesses. (PNA)