Tag: impeachment trial

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Ping Lacson Comments on “Petty” Delay in Impeachment Proceedings, Hopeful 20th Congress Can Render Fair Judgment

Incoming Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson commented Tuesday on the “petty” delays in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, even as he is hopeful that the 20th Congress can render a fair judgment on the matter if the trial crosses over to it.

Lacson said in a radio interview that even old-timers in the Senate did not expect such debates on when to convene the impeachment court, since these are merely ministerial formalities.

“On the matter of when to convene, it’s petty to say the least. What is the difference between Monday, June 9, and Wednesday, June 11? Practically speaking, it doesn’t make much difference because the impeachment court will be convened. In fact, the presiding officer already took his oath, and the senator judges will take their oath later today,” he said in Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson, Pinuna ang “Petty” Delay sa Impeachment Proceedings; Umaasang Magiging Patas ang Hatol ng 20th Congress

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Ping Lacson: Best Way Forward on VP Impeachment Trial is Crossover to 20th Congress

For incoming Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, the best way forward on the issue of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is to let it cross over to the 20th Congress, with the Senate acting as an impeachment court.

Lacson rejected the claim of a draft resolution traced to the office of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa that the Senate can declare a de facto dismissal of the impeachment case against the Vice President, saying only the Senate as an impeachment court can render a decision on the matter.

“There is no sense in the draft resolution calling for the de facto dismissal of the impeachment case against Vice President Duterte. Only the Senate as an impeachment court can render a decision on the matter, not the Senate as a legislative body, as the latter has no jurisdiction or legal authority to do so,” he stressed.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson: Pag-Crossover sa 20th Congress, Pinakamainam na Opsyon para sa VP Impeachment Trial

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Ping Lacson: Challenges Await Draft Resolution Seeking Dismissal of VP’s Impeachment Case

A draft resolution seeking to dismiss the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte is making the rounds in the Senate but will face many challenges before it can achieve its goal, incoming Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson, who received a copy of the “undated, unnumbered, (and) unauthored” draft, said that even if it is eventually adopted in plenary, it may still be overturned by the Supreme Court.

“I received a copy of the draft resolution from an insider in the Senate. It is making the rounds in the Senate so that if it gets enough signatures, it can be debated upon and possibly adopted if it has the support of the majority,” he said in Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“But this is a resolution that can still be questioned before the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the petitioner, it can compel the Senate to continue with the impeachment trial,” he added.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson: Draft Resolution Para Ibasura ang Impeachment Case ni VP, Maraming Pagdadaanan

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Ping Lacson Throws Support Behind Tito Sotto for Senate Presidency

Senators-elect Tito Sotto and Ping Lacson filing their COCs in October 2024

Senator-elect Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is throwing his support behind fellow Senator-elect and former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III for the Senate presidency in the 20th Congress.

Lacson, in a television interview Thursday evening, cited Sotto’s track record in leading the Upper Chamber.

“For me, it is clear. He is my friend and colleague whose leadership I have experienced. So I think I can reveal and I can be very frank that I will vote for Sen. Sotto,” he said in Filipino in an interview on BNC.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson, Susuportahan si Tito Sotto sa Senate Presidency

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On a Rumored Meeting with VP Duterte

I have been receiving reports that I and another senator-elect in the May 2025 elections recently met with Vice President Sara Duterte.

I vehemently deny and dismiss such rumor as absolutely false and outright malicious for one simple reason only: as an elected senator who is a potential senator-judge in the impeachment trial involving the Vice President should the said trial cross over to the 20th Congress, it is the height of impropriety to meet with her, being a respondent in the said impeachment case already transmitted to the Senate.

Under normal circumstances, I find nothing wrong if newly elected senators or congressmen paid a courtesy call on the second highest official of the land, which I actually did with then VP Robredo when I won my third term in 2016.

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