Philippines senator-judge Pia Cayetano faces criticism over edited video in Duterte impeachment

Senator‑judge Pia Cayetano posted a one‑minute edited video of Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno’s interpellation during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. The video’s caption suggested accusations were being made without evidence, prompting the Akbayan party‑list to accuse Cayetano of twisting the story. House prosecution panel spokesperson Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong warned that such posts could breach the sub judice rule and raise questions about Cayetano’s impartiality as a senator‑judge. The Senate impeachment court subsequently approved the prosecution’s request to subpoena Duterte’s financial records.

Akbayan reiterated that Diokno had clarified the request was based on probable cause, not a “fishing expedition,” and criticized Cayetano for presenting a spliced excerpt that omitted context. The episode has intensified debate over the conduct of members of the impeachment court during the high‑profile case against the vice president.