Tag: impeachment trial

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Lacson: ‘Obviously Irrelevant’ Manifestations Testing Patience of Impeachment Trial Observers

Some manifestations that are “obviously irrelevant” are beginning to test the patience of observers at the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Thursday.

Lacson made the observation after sharing a lighthearted exchange with a fellow senator-judge, saying even those in the gallery would likely welcome a motion to adjourn the trial whenever such manifestations drag on.

“DAY 6: A fellow senator-judge has jokingly asked me if he can move for the division of the house every time he feels annoyed by manifestations obviously irrelevant to the impeachment trial. I told him, a motion to adjourn will elicit more applause from the equally annoyed gallery,” he said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Mga Tagamasid ng Impeachment Trial, Namumuro na sa mga ‘Obviously Irrelevant’ na Manifestation

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Lacson: Can’t Support ‘Forced’ Unsealing of BIR ‘Green Box’ in Violation of Law

Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday said he cannot support the unsealing of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) “green box” containing Vice President Sara Duterte’s tax records without the President’s written authority as required under the law.

Lacson said he cannot take part in any action that would violate Sections 71 and 270 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) and established Supreme Court jurisprudence, as he stressed even the Impeachment Court trying the Vice President’s case is not above the law.

“If it is ‘forcibly’ unsealed without the written authority of the President, I will vote against it. That will be my personal vote, because I do not want to be blamed in the future for taking part in violating the law,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“My position is clear. Without the written authority of the President, I cannot support the unsealing. I am not favoring the defense. I am invoking the law and that is clear,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Hindi Maaaring Suportahan ang Pagbubukas ng BIR ‘Green Box’ Nang Walang Written Authorization Ayon sa Batas

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Lacson Suggests Measures to Minimize Delays in VP Impeachment Trial

Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday proposed measures to minimize delays in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, including having witnesses expected to testify during the week remain readily available at the Senate premises.

Lacson said this would maximize the limited hearing time while upholding the Vice President’s right to a speedy trial without compromising the integrity of the proceedings.

“One suggestion I made was that the defense and prosecution make sure their witnesses for one week are readily available in a holding room, so if we finish early with one witness, we can move to the next and not waste time,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“Speeding up the trial does not mean compromising the presentation of evidence. It means maximizing the limited time available to us,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nagmungkahi ng mga Hakbang upang Mabawasan ang mga Pagkaantala sa Impeachment Trial ng VP

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Lacson: Not Impeachment Court Spokesperson’s Role to ‘Admonish’ Senator-Judges on Indiscretions

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

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Lacson: Sandiganbayan Denial of Jinggoy Motion Could Spare Impeachment Court from Potentially Interfering with Judicial Process

The Sandiganbayan’s denial of Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada’s motion to attend the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio could spare the Impeachment Court from acting on a pending motion that may imply interference with an ongoing judicial process, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson noted that Senator-Judge Alan Peter Cayetano had asked the Impeachment Court to communicate with the Sandiganbayan to allow Sens. Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta to attend the trial, even as both face plunder and graft charges before the anti-graft court.

“That would spare the Impeachment Court from acting on the pending motion of Senator-Judge Alan Cayetano for us to ‘ask the Sandiganbayan to allow Senators Estrada (and Marcoleta) to participate in the impeachment trial’, which may impliedly suggest that we are interfering with an ongoing judicial process,” he said.

“I believe we still have to discuss the matter among ourselves as it is just my humble opinion,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Pagbasura ng Sandiganbayan sa Mosyon ni Jinggoy, Maaaring Makaiwas sa Impeachment Court sa Posibleng Panghihimasok sa Prosesong Panghukuman

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