Garin slams online bullying of House prosecutor over viral memes: ‘It’s actually bullying’

House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin strongly condemned the online bullying and viral memes targeting Lead House Prosecutor Rep. Gerville "Jinky" Luistro, calling on the public to focus on the legal merits of the impeachment trial rather than personal physical attacks.

The visual mockery escalated on social media following Luistro's passionate speeches during the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, where netizens ridiculed the prosecutor's physical condition, specifically pointing out instances of salivating and a runny nose.

Garin, who is a registered physician and representing the 1st District of Iloilo, slammed the detractors for prioritizing low-level insults over substantial legislative issues. She emphasized that such physiological reactions are normal human responses, especially during moments of high stress, extreme fatigue, or dehydration, and have absolutely no bearing on a person's capability or honesty.

"Kailangan bang pagtawanan 'yon? No! It's actually bullying. The prosecutors are just doing their job," Garin said during a House press conference.

The lawmaker heavily criticized online theories suggesting that physical reactions like salivating or a runny nose are indicators of a person distorting the truth.

"Kailanman sa kasaysayan ng medikal na komunidad ang sipon o sipon ay naging sanhi ng pagsisinungaling," Garin added.

Garin urged netizens and political observers alike to elevate the level of public discourse by abandoning personal harassment and refocusing attention on the critical constitutional issues being debated in the ongoing impeachment proceedings.