MANILA, Philippines - House lead prosecutor Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas, Jr. should be cited for contempt by the Senate for making Chief Justice Renato Corona continue to undergo "trial by publicity," one of his lawyers said Wednesday.

Defense panel spokesman Atty. Mon Esguerra criticized Tupas for allegedly discussing the merits of Corona's impeachment case in his guesting on ANC Headstart. He also cited an article in ABS-CBNnews.com regarding the prosecution's request to subpoena Corona's alleged bank accounts.

Esguerra said Tupas told ANC that Corona was not accurate in his statement of assets and liabilities.

"We are alarmed that the act of the Senate is already being undermined," he said in a press statement.

"If the right of our client will be continually pilloried publicly on so-called evidence, never presented or entered into the trial, then we might as well save the money of Juan dela Cruz and stop this charade or stop the live coverage of the hearings, so we stop the pandering, innuendoes and spins," Esguerra added.

"Masyado na pong bastusan itong ginagawa ng prosecution sa media," he said.

When asked on ANC after day 10 of the trial to explain further, Esguerra declined and offered instead to discuss it over drinks.