Manila, June 26 -- Senator Panfilo Lacson on Friday asked the Senate Impeachment Court to advise both the prosecution and defense panels to refrain from openly commenting on the merits of the case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.

In a statement, Lacson said there is a need to protect the integrity of the proceedings and prevent the case from being litigated in the court of public opinion.

"Even before the impeachment trial begins on July 6, a separate trial before the bar of public opinion is already ongoing. The impeachment court should advise both the prosecution and defense panels to refrain from openly commenting on the merits of the case at bar," Lacson said in a post on X.

Lacson, who will serve as one of the senator-judg...