The Senate temporarily halted the livestream of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday due to concerns raised by Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officials. The decision came after BIR chief of staff Attorney Anne Loraine Garcia-Marquez highlighted potential data privacy issues.
Presiding Officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero ordered the suspension following the intervention. The livestream was cut during the first half of the trial, which was ongoing on the third week of proceedings. The impeachment process, now in its 37th day, has been focusing on financial allegations against Duterte.
The prosecution has presented several witnesses, including financial forensic analyst lawyer Alexander Cabrera, who testified about unexplained wealth totaling P817.87 million from 2022 to 2025. The case centers on Article II of the impeachment charges, which alleges misconduct in office.
This marks the first time the Senate has paused a live broadcast of the trial, signaling heightened sensitivity around the handling of sensitive financial data. The situation reflects broader concerns about transparency and privacy in high-profile legal proceedings.
The impeachment trial has drawn significant public attention, with ongoing debates about the integrity of financial disclosures by public officials. The suspension highlights the complex balance between public accountability and individual privacy rights.
