The Impeachment Court trying the case of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio should consider advising both the prosecution and defense panels to refrain from openly commenting on the merits of the case, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.
Lacson, who will serve as one of the senator-judges in the impeachment trial set to begin on July 6, stressed the need to protect the integrity of the proceedings and prevent the case from being litigated in the court of public opinion.
“Even before the impeachment trial begins on July 6, a separate trial before the bar of public opinion is already ongoing. The impeachment court should advise both the prosecution and defense panels to refrain from openly commenting on the merits of the case at bar,” he said on X.
In Filipino: Lacson: Impeachment Court, Dapat Payuhan ang Prosecution at Defense na Umiwas sa Pagkokomento sa Merito ng Kaso ni VP Duterte
Even before the impeachment trial begins on July 6, a separate trial before the bar of public opinion is already ongoing.
The impeachment court should advise both the prosecution and defense panels to refrain from openly commenting on the merits of the case at bar.
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) June 26, 2026
He pointed out that his concern is limited to commentary on the merits of the case, and not to discussions on procedural issues and other issues that may help public understanding of the impeachment process.
“Merits of the case lang ang concern ko (My only concern is the merits of the case); nothing to do with the process and other similar points of information that the public may appreciate,” he said.
Merits of the case lang ang concern ko; nothing to do with the process and other similar points of information that the public may appreciate.
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) June 26, 2026
Impeachment pre-trial proceedings concluded on Thursday, during which the House prosecution panel, the Vice President’s defense team and the Impeachment Clerk of Court marked evidence and identified witnesses for the trial.
Senate Secretary and Impeachment Clerk of Court Renato Bantug Jr. was quoted in reports as saying the presentation of evidence in the trial may take 92 trial days, with the prosecution expecting to finish its presentation in 62 trial days, and the defense in 30 trial days.
Bantug said the impeachment trial is to be conducted every Monday through Wednesday.
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Lacson: Impeachment Court, Dapat Payuhan ang Prosecution at Defense na Umiwas sa Pagkokomento sa Merito ng Kaso ni VP Duterte
Dapat payuhan ng Impeachment Court na dumidinig sa kaso ni Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio ang panel ng prosekusyon at depensa na umiwas sa hayagang pagkomento sa merito ng kaso, ayon kay Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Biyernes.
Ani Lacson, na magsisilbing isa sa mga senator-judge sa impeachment trial na nakatakdang magsimula sa Hulyo 6, kailangang mapanatili ang integridad ng mga paglilitis at maiwasang malitis ang kaso sa hukuman ng public opinion.
“Even before the impeachment trial begins on July 6, a separate trial before the bar of public opinion is already ongoing. The impeachment court should advise both the prosecution and defense panels to refrain from openly commenting on the merits of the case at bar,” aniya sa X.
Nilinaw niya na ang kanyang pangamba ay nakatuon lamang sa mga komento hinggil sa merito ng kaso, at hindi sa mga talakayan ukol sa mga usaping pang-proseso at iba pang mga bagay na makatutulong sa pag-unawa ng publiko sa proseso ng impeachment.
“Merits of the case lang ang concern ko; nothing to do with the process and other similar points of information that the public may appreciate,” aniya.
Nagtapos nitong Huwebes ang mga pre-trial proceeding para sa impeachment, kung saan minarkahan ng House prosecution panel, ng defense team ng Bise Presidente, at ng Impeachment Clerk of Court ang mga ebidensya at tinukoy ang mga testigong ihaharap sa paglilitis.
Ayon sa mga ulat, sinabi ni Senate Secretary at Impeachment Clerk of Court Renato Bantug Jr. na maaaring umabot sa 92 trial days ang presentasyon ng mga ebidensya sa paglilitis. Inaasahan aniya ng prosekusyon na matatapos nito ang presentasyon sa loob ng 62 trial days, habang 30 trial days naman para sa depensa.
Sinabi rin ni Bantug na isasagawa ang impeachment trial tuwing Lunes hanggang Miyerkules.
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