Upholding the Constitution must take precedence over all considerations —including loyalty to colleagues — in the government’s response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) charges against Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.
Lacson maintained that the Senate’s moral ascendancy remains intact, so long as it adheres to the Charter – particularly the provisions on immunity from arrest under Art. VI, Sec. 11.
“If we violate the law of the land, we have nothing to discuss. We are complying with the provision of the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the land. It is clear that there is immunity from arrest if the penalty is six years and below, and Congress is in session,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on One News.
In Filipino: Lacson: Konstitusyon ang Unahin sa Tugon ng Pamahalaan sa mga Kaso ng ICC
Under Art. Vi, Sec. 11 of the Constitution, “(a) Senator or Member of the House of Representatives shall, in all offenses punishable by not more than six years imprisonment, be privileged from arrest while the Congress is in session. No Member shall be questioned nor be held liable in any other place for any speech or debate in the Congress or in any committee thereof.”
The ICC earlier tagged Go and dela Rosa as among the “co-perpetrators” of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the anti-drug war during the last administration.
Lacson said it is still unclear as of now if Go and dela Rosa would qualify for immunity from arrest, as the ICC’s confirmation of charges hearing for the former President is not scheduled until Feb. 23 to 27.
Until then, he said it is not clear whether Go and dela Rosa would face imprisonment of six years and below. If it does, he said, “our Constitution can be invoked. This is not just any other law but the Constitution.”
Also, Lacson said that while there is no clear definition at this time, the Constitution’s provision on “in session” could be interpreted to mean that the immunity from arrest would be “lifted” once the first regular session adjourns sine die on June 6.
Lacson likewise addressed allegations of favoritism, pointing out that a purely “selfish” or “practical” politician might actually welcome the vacancies of Go and dela Rosa to secure the majority’s grip on the Senate.
“If this were about politics and not the Constitution, for selfish reasons, one could argue for their turnover just to secure the leadership of Senate President Vicente Sotto III. But that is not what I’m fighting for. It’s the Constitution, based on consultation with legal experts,” he said.
Lacson likewise brushed off criticisms by “lawyers” about his pro-Constitution stand, which he said is carefully vetted through consultations.
“For the record, before I put forward a legal opinion during media interviews or committee hearings, I do it in consultation with legal experts, even retired SC justices on the subject matter for discussion. This way, I trust that I’m talking more sense than ordinary lawyers,” he said in a post on X.
For the record, before I put forward a legal opinion during media interviews or committee hearings, I do it in consultation with legal experts, even retired SC justices on the subject matter for discussion. This way, I trust that I’m talking more sense than ordinary lawyers.
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) February 17, 2026
He also stressed anew that the Supreme Court is the final arbiter on the issue.
“I’m not saying I’m correct but I will not concede that I am wrong and they are right. The Supreme Court has not ruled on this, and there is no legal precedent on this matter,” he added.
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Lacson: Konstitusyon ang Unahin sa Tugon ng Pamahalaan sa mga Kaso ng ICC
Ang pagtalima sa ating Konstitusyon ang dapat mangibabaw sa lahat ng konsiderasyon — kabilang ang katapatan sa mga kasamahan — sa tugon ng pamahalaan sa mga sakdal ng International Criminal Court (ICC) laban kina Senador Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa at Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, ayon kay Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Martes.
Diin ni Lacson, walang mawawalang moral ascendancy ang Senado hangga’t sumusunod ito sa Saligang Batas — partikular na sa mga probisyon tungkol sa immunity from arrest sa ilalim ng Art. VI, Sec. 11.
“If we violate the law of the land, yan ang walang patawad, wala tayong paguusapan. We are complying with the provision of the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the land. Maliwanag na may immunity from arrest … pag ang penalty is six years and below, and Congress is in session. Wala tayong moral ascendancy na nawawala pag nag-follow tayo ng Constitution,” aniya sa isang panayam sa One News.
Sa ilalim ng Art. VI, Sec. 11 ng Konstitusyon, “(a) Senator or Member of the House of Representatives shall, in all offenses punishable by not more than six years imprisonment, be privileged from arrest while the Congress is in session. No Member shall be questioned nor be held liable in any other place for any speech or debate in the Congress or in any committee thereof.”
Matatandaang tinukoy ng ICC sina Go at dela Rosa bilang mga “co-perpetrators” ng dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa madugong kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga noong nakaraang administrasyon.
Ani Lacson, hindi pa malinaw sa ngayon kung pasok sina Go at dela Rosa sa immunity from arrest, dahil ang confirmation of charges hearing ng ICC para sa dating Pangulo ay nakatakda pa sa Peb. 23 hanggang 27.
Hanggang hindi natatapos ang nasabing pagdinig, hindi pa aniya tiyak kung ang kakaharaping parusa nina Go at dela Rosa ay pagkakabilanggo na “six years and below.” Kung mangyari ito, aniya, “pwedeng ma-invoke ang ating Constitution. Hindi lang batas yan, Constitution yan.”
Bukod dito, ipinaliwanag ni Lacson na bagama’t wala pang malinaw na depinisyon sa kasalukuyan, ang probisyon ng Konstitusyon tungkol sa “in session” ay maaaring bigyang-kahulugan na ang immunity from arrest ay mawawalan na ng bisa kapag nag-adjourn sine die ang unang regular na sesyon sa Hunyo 6.
Samantala, sinagot ni Lacson ang mga alegasyon ng pagkampi. Binigyang-diin niya na ang isang politiko na “selfish” o “praktikal” ay maaaring matuwa pa sa pagkawala nina Go at dela Rosa sa Senado upang lalong patatagin ang liderato ni Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
“For practical reasons at hindi Constitution ang pinaguusapan, kung selfish reasons, mas gusto kong mabawasan ang minority para ma-secure ang leadership ni Senate President Vicente Sotto III, but that’s not what I’m fighting for. It’s the Constitution, based on consultation with legal experts,” pahayag niya.
Binasag din ni Lacson ang mga kritisismo ng ilang “abogado” tungkol sa kaniyang paninindigan para sa Konstitusyon, na ayon sa kaniya ay dumaan sa masusing konsultasyon.
“For the record, before I put forward a legal opinion during media interviews or committee hearings, I do it in consultation with legal experts, even retired SC justices on the subject matter for discussion. This way, I trust that I’m talking more sense than ordinary lawyers,” saad niya sa isang post sa X.
Muli rin niyang binigyang-diin na ang Korte Suprema ang huling hahatol sa usaping ito.
“I’m not saying I’m correct but I will not concede na tama (ang) any other lawyer. Hindi pa nag-rule ang Supreme Court. Hindi ko sinasabing tama ako di ko concede tama sila kasi wala pang legal precedent,” dagdag pa niya.
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