THE PRESIDENTIAL Electoral Tribunal has warned parties in the poll protest of losing vice presidential candidate Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. not to discuss the case to the media.

In a statement, the court’s Public Information Office said the tribunal had reiterated its order for the parties to “strictly observe the sub judice rule,” which bars anyone from issuing comments that could interfere with the court’s handling of the suit.

“These are not the proper venues to litigate their case,” it said. “The parties, their counsels and their agents are sternly warned that any more violation of this order shall be dealt with more severely.”

Mr. Marcos and the Office of the Solicitor General on Monday asked presiding Justice Mario Victor F. Leonen to inhibit himself from the case, citing bias against the Marcos family and accusing him of delaying the case.

The lawyers of Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo have criticized Mr. Marcos’s plea, which they said was another “mind-conditioning game” meant to attack the integrity of an institution “to force them to give in to his desires.” — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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