Tag: impeachment trial

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Ping Lacson: Constitution and Evidence, Not Surveys, to be My Guides as Senator-Judge

The 1987 Constitution and the evidence – and not surveys – will be the guides of Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson as one of the senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

Lacson emphasized this point in response to recent survey results and surge of social media sentiments, which reflect a wide range of public opinions regarding the impeachment trial.

“I can only speak for myself as a senator-judge in the incoming Senate of the 20th Congress acting as an impeachment court: I will only be guided by the Constitution, particularly Art XI, Sec. 3 that deals with the accountability of public officials first; and second, the evidence that will be presented by the prosecution team of the House of Representatives as well as the rebuttal of the defense team and not what the surveys or opinions and comments of netizens on different social media platforms,” he said.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson: Saligang Batas at Ebidensya, at Hindi Survey, ang Gabay Ko Bilang Senator-Judge

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Ping Lacson Gives Gentle Caution to Fellow Senator-Judges on Filing of Motions in VP Duterte’s Impeachment Trial

Senator-judges should leave the filing of motions and pleadings related to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to the prosecution and defense teams.

This was the gentle caution made Sunday by Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson to his fellow senator judges, as he maintained that their job is to make a ruling based on the arguments by the prosecution and defense.

“VP Impeachment Jurisdiction: A gentle caution to senator-judges of the impeachment court – we should leave the filing of all motions and pleadings to the prosecution and defense teams. Our job is to listen to their arguments and counter-arguments and make a ruling,” he said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson, Nagbigay ng Gentle Caution sa Kapwa Senator-Judges sa Paghain ng Mosyon sa Impeachment Case vs VP Duterte

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Ping Lacson to Fellow Senator-Judges: Behave and Speak Like Judges

Senator-judges in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte must behave and speak like judges, as the public will observe their demeanor during the trial, incoming Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said this means being impartial, only speaking to clarify statements from the defense or prosecution, and not expressing their personal opinions on the case.

“Our demeanor will be observed by the public. We must always bear in mind that we are senator-judges, not members of the defense or prosecution team,” Lacson said in Filipino, in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson sa Kapwa Senator-Judges: Kumilos at Magsalita na Parang Huwes

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Ping Lacson: Only Senator-Judges, Not Presiding Officer, Can Decide Not to Make Public Comments on VP Impeachment Case

It is only the senator-judges, and not the presiding judge of the Senate impeachment court, who can decide to refrain from making public comments on the issues surrounding the pending trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, incoming Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

This was after impeachment court spokesman Reginald Tongol was quoted in reports as saying the senator-judges will not yet be prohibited from making such public comments.

“Only the senator-judges, not the presiding officer – after agreeing among themselves, or at least a majority of them – can decide not to make public comments on issues pertaining to the impeachment case,” he said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson: Senator-Judges Lang ang Pwedeng Magpasiya sa Pagkomento sa VP Impeachment Case

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Ping Lacson Raises Concern on Possible ‘Overreach’ in Remanding of Impeachment Case vs VP Duterte

The word “remand” is not included in the 1987 Constitution’s articles involving the accountability of public officers.

On this note, Senator-elect Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday raised his concern on a possible overreach in the interpretation of Article XI, Sec. 3 of the Charter when the Senate impeachment court remanded the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives.

“All lawyers should know this legal maxim: ‘Expressio unius est exclusio alterius‘. (What the law does not include, it excludes) The word ‘remand’ is not included in Art XI Section 3 of the1987 Constitution,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson, Nagpahayag ng Pag-aalala sa Posibleng ‘Overreach’ sa Pag-Remand ng Impeachment Case vs VP Duterte

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