Lacson: Senator-Judges Facing Arrest, Detention May Still Join Impeachment Trial Without Online Participation

Senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte who are facing arrest and detention may still participate in the proceedings without resorting to online attendance or voting, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson said this will remain in compliance with the Rules of the Senate, where online or remote participation and voting is allowed only in cases of force majeure or extreme circumstances, and in national emergencies.

“One remedy is for the Impeachment Court to ask the Sandiganbayan or any court/s to which their cases would be assigned for ‘leave of court,’ and if granted, order the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology or their custodian/s to escort them to the Senate so they may participate in the impeachment trial of the Vice President. The senator-judges will be physically present,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“Work-from-jail is not allowed,” he added. “We cannot allow online participation because that is reserved for force majeure and national emergencies.”

In Filipino: Lacson: Senator-Judges Na Nahaharap sa Pag-Aresto, Pwede Pang Makilahok sa Impeachment Trial na Hindi Mag-Online

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Lacson: Senate Majority, Not Minority, ‘Scampered’ on Night of Walkout

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Friday said the Senate majority “scampered” from chamber rules last May 26, triggering a walkout before trying to shift the blame to the minority.

Lacson pushed back against Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano’s claim that the minority “scampered out of the session hall,” saying they walked out because the majority had “scampered out of our rules.”

“‘The minority group scampered out of the session hall.’ — SP Cayetano
‘No, Mr. Senate President, we quietly walked out because you scampered out of our rules and wanted to divide the house while we were still debating,'” Lacson said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Senate Majority, at Hindi Minority, ang Nag-‘Scamper’ Noong Gabi ng Walkout

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Lacson: Insisting on ‘Dividing the House’ During a Debate Means Neither Facts nor Rule on Their Side

Insisting on “dividing the house” to force a vote even in the middle of a debate is a not-so-subtle admission that neither the facts nor the rule are on their side, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson paraphrased a classic legal principle to illustrate the exchange at the Senate Tuesday evening, when Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano insisted on dividing the house after Lacson questioned the rules and procedure to handle a motion to amend the rules by bypassing the yet to be constituted Committee on Rules to which the said motion was referred earlier by no less than the Senate President himself.

“Apologies to lawyers, I will paraphrase a classic legal aphorism:
‘If the facts are on your side, pound the facts.
If the RULE is on your side, pound the RULE.
If neither the facts nor the RULE are on your side, MOVE TO DIVIDE THE HOUSE.’”” Lacson said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Pagpilit na I-‘Divide the House’ sa Gitna ng Debate, Senyales na Wala sa Panig Nila ang Katotohanan o Batas

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Lacson: Fresh Start, Nothing Else, at Core of Senate Leadership Change Push

A fresh start for the Senate – and nothing else – is at the core of the push of the Senate’s 11-member minority bloc for a leadership change, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed Sunday.

Lacson dismissed speculations that the minority’s move is linked to efforts to amend the Constitution or influence the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Sa amin, ang primary or main concern naming 11, ibangon ang Senado. Wala kaming pinaguusapang kailangan palitan natin ng liderato para maitulak natin ng Con-ass, palitan natin ng liderato para ang impeachment mag-convict, wala kami ganun usapan (Our primary or main concern is to restore the Senate’s integrity. We never discussed anything else – not Con-ass, not the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio.

“Yan lang ang mismong pinaguusapan namin na sana pagpalit tayo ng liderato, maibangon namin, magkaroon kami ng fresh start. Kaya napili namin si Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. At least fresh face at wala siyang kaaway sabihin na natin (We in the minority bloc agreed that our reason for seeking a leadership change is to give the Senate a fresh start. That is why we rally behind Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, he is a fresh face and has no ‘enemies’ among senators),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Panibagong Simula, Wala Nang Iba, Nasa Sentro ng Panawagan sa Pagbabago ng Liderato sa Senado

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Lacson to Law Enforcement: Intelligence Key to Tracking, Arresting High-Profile Fugitives

Good intelligence work is the key to tracking down and arresting high-profile personalities including Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson gave this advice to law enforcement agencies who are also looking for “prominent” personalities including dela Rosa, “Atong” Ang, former Gen. Gerald Bantag, and even ex-Rep. “Zaldy” Co who is believed to be in France.

“As one who worked in law enforcement, intelligence for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between. Intelligence is the prime mover of any operation, law enforcement or military,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson sa Alagad ng Batas: Intelligence, Susi sa Pagtugis at Pag-aresto ng mga High-Profile Fugitives

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