Ang tama ay IPAGLABAN. Ang mali ay LABANAN.
The Senate must respect and comply with the Supreme Court ruling, notwithstanding the contrary opinions of several legal observers, particularly on the Court’s interpretation of Art XI Section 3, para (4) – that the filing of a verified complaint by at least 1/3 of all the members of the House of Representatives shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.
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We may have to discuss the proposition in plenary, and find out the justification for the delayed convening of the impeachment court to Aug. 4, then vote on it. Whatever the majorly of the 24 senators will decide, we should follow, but not without manifesting or explaining our votes, if some of us would choose to.
As a senator-judge, I want to hear or participate in the discussion of any major issue involved in the impeachment process before making a decision because it is a constitutional duty.
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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
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
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
Continue reading “Ping Lacson to Fellow Senator-Judges: Behave and Speak Like Judges”