The Senate is financially “able and ready” for the possible impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, Senate President Pro Tempore and Senate Accounts Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.
Lacson said only P500,000 had been spent out of a P27-million allocation under the 2025 General Appropriations Act when the House transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate at the time.
“There’s at least P27 million under the 2025 GAA, from which around P500,000 was spent when last year’s Articles of Impeachment against VP Duterte was transmitted to the Senate,” he said.
“Since the fund is good for two years under ‘continuing appropriations,’ the Senate is financially able and ready to conduct the trial if and when the Articles of Impeachment are transmitted,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson: Senado, ‘Able and Ready’ Para sa Posibleng Impeachment Trial kay VP Duterte
Lacson earlier said he and his fellow senators, including Senate President Vicente Sotto III, have been preparing for a possible impeachment trial this year should the House transmit the case to the Senate.
He maintained the evidence will remain his sole basis in any decision should the trial proceed.
Also, he reminded his peers to observe proper conduct as potential senator-judges should the impeachment case reach the Senate.
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Lacson: Senado, ‘Able and Ready’ Para sa Posibleng Impeachment Trial kay VP Duterte
“Able and ready” ang Senado para sa posibleng impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, ayon kay Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Martes.
Giit ni Lacson, na chairman ng Senate Accounts Committee, ₱500,000 lamang ang nagastos mula sa ₱27-milyong pondo sa ilalim ng 2025 General Appropriations Act nang i-transmit ng Kamara sa Senado ang Articles of Impeachment.
“There’s at least P27 million under the 2025 GAA, from which around P500,000 was spent when last year’s Articles of Impeachment against VP Duterte was transmitted to the Senate,” aniya.
“Since the fund is good for two years under ‘continuing appropriations,’ the Senate is financially able and ready to conduct the trial if and when the Articles of Impeachment are transmitted,” dagdag niya.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Lacson na siya at ang kanyang mga kapwa senador, kabilang si Senate President Vicente Sotto III, ay naghahanda na para sa posibleng impeachment trial ngayong taon sakaling ipasa ng Kamara ang kaso sa Senado.
Giit niya, ebidensya lamang ang magiging batayan niya sa anumang desisyon kung matutuloy ang paglilitis.
Pinaalalahanan din niya ang kanyang mga kasamahan na pairalin ang wastong asal bilang mga posibleng senator-judge sakaling makarating sa Senado ang impeachment case.
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