It is not the role of the spokesperson of the Impeachment Court trying the case of Vice President Sara Duterte to publicly call out or admonish senator-judges over alleged indiscretions, Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.
Lacson said it would be better for lawyer Reginald Tongol to leave concerns such as possible sub judice remarks to the senator-judges themselves, who can discuss and address such matters internally during their caucus.
“With due respect to Atty. Tongol, he is the spokesperson of the Impeachment Court and speaks on behalf of the Senator Judges. He should not make it appear he is cautioning or admonishing us,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.
“If there are indiscretions committed by a senator-judge, it is best to take it up in an all senator-judges caucus, instead of lecturing in public or during the trial,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson: Hindi Tungkulin ng Impeachment Court Spokesperson na ‘Sawayin’ ang mga Senator-Judge
Lacson also pointed out that Tongol, as spokesperson of the Impeachment Court – and by extension, of the Senator-Judges – should at least refrain from commenting on the senator-judges’ conduct.
He said it was “uncalled for” for Tongol to comment on matters such as a Facebook post by Sen. Robinhood Padilla, because he is the Court’s spokesperson and not its critic.
“It is not in his space to call the attention of senator-judges to adhere to Rule 18 of the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials, even sounding like he was admonishing Sen. Padilla for his FB comments,” Lacson said.
At the same time, Lacson reiterated that the Senator-Judges themselves have the responsibility to exercise restraint in their public statements, and avoid creating any perception of bias toward either side.
“As Senator-Judges, we should be responsible enough, and conscious of our statements because we are senator-judges. We cannot make statements in interviews or during the trial that may project leaning towards the prosecution or defense,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lacson said the Senator-Judges may have another caucus next week to discuss pending motions, including that of Alan Peter Cayetano to communicate with the Sandiganbayan to allow detained senators – including Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada – to attend the trial.
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Lacson: Hindi Tungkulin ng Impeachment Court Spokesperson na ‘Sawayin’ ang mga Senator-Judge
Hindi tungkulin ng tagapagsalita ng Impeachment Court na dumidinig sa kaso laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte na sawayin o punahin sa publiko ang mga senator-judge dahil sa mga diumano’y pagkakamali ng mga ito, ayon kay Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Sabado.
Ayon kay Lacson, mas mabuting ipaubaya na lamang ni Atty. Reginald Tongol sa mga senator-judge mismo ang mga usapin tulad ng posibleng sub judice na mga pahayag, dahil maaari naman nila itong talakayin at resolbahin sa kanilang caucus.
“With due respect to Atty. Tongol ang aming spokesperson. Spokesperson siya ng Impeachment Court, nagsasalita siya on behalf of all the senators. Huwag niya ibalik sa amin na parang kami kina-caution-an niya, ina-admonish na wag magsalita ng ganun. Kung halimbawa meron sa aming nakapagsalita ita-take up dapat namin sa aming caucus. Huwag ipahayag sa publiko parang sinasabihan ang mga Senator Judges,” aniya sa panayam sa DZMM.
“If there are indiscretions committed by a senator-judge, it is best to take it up in an all senator-judges caucus, instead of lecturing in public or during the trial,” dagdag niya.
Idiniin din ni Lacson na si Tongol, bilang tagapagsalita ng Impeachment Court— at ng mga Senator-Judge — ay nararapat na umiwas na lamang sa pagbibigay ng puna hinggil sa asal o kilos ng mga senator-judge.
Aniya, “uncalled for” ang pagkomento ni Tongol sa mga usapin gaya ng Facebook post ni Sen. Robinhood Padilla, dahil siya ang tagapagsalita ng Hukuman at hindi ang kritiko nito.
“It is not in his space to call the attention of senator-judges to adhere to Rule 18 of the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials, even sounding like he was admonishing Sen. Padilla for his FB comments,” diin ni Lacson.
Kasabay nito, muling binigyang-diin ni Lacson na may pananagutan ang mismong mga Senator-Judge na magpakita ng self-restraint sa kanilang mga pampublikong pahayag upang maiwasan ang anumang pananaw na sila ay kumikiling sa alinmang panig.
“We should be responsible enough. Dapat conscious kami lagi na mga huwes kami. Hindi kami pwedeng magpahayag even sa interviews tulad nito o mismo sa trial na nagpoproject na kami panig sa prosecution o depensa,” aniya.
Samantala, sinabi ni Lacson na maaaring magkaroon ng panibagong caucus ang mga Senator-Judge sa darating na linggo upang talakayin ang mga nakabinbing mosyon, kabilang ang mosyon ni Alan Peter Cayetano na makipag-ugnayan sa Sandiganbayan upang payagan ang mga nakakulong na senador—kabilang si Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada—na dumalo sa paglilitis.
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