Lacson Swats Away Panelo’s Prejudgment of Impeachment Trial Votes

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson swatted away as “nonsensical” the prejudgment by ex-presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo on how he and other senators would vote should the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte reach the Senate.

Lacson particularly took issue with Panelo’s claim that he, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, and Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan would vote to convict the Vice President.

“Why is Panelo trying to sound smarter than us? No one can speak on my behalf. And I have said this before – we’ll always be guided by the evidence. We haven’t reached the trial stage, why is he preempting us and calling us ‘pusakal/feral’?” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on Storycon on One News. “Is he a soothsayer? What if I say he’s a pusakal/feral soothsayer?”

“He isn’t just a feral dog. He’s an idiot,” Lacson said of Panelo.

In Filipino: Lacson, Tinaboy si Panelo sa ‘Prejudgment’ Nito sa Boto sa Impeachment Trial

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Lacson: Zaldy Co’s Potential BRC Appearance Could Boost Support for Partial Report

The possible appearance of arrested ex-Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee could prompt more senators to sign the panel’s partial report, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said late Friday.

Lacson said the decision now rests with the committee members, especially those who have been calling for the hearings to resume and for Co to be questioned.

“Co’s arrest is a good development because now it’s up to them to ensure that the hearings resume. It’s on them – do they want the hearings to continue and for Co to be grilled? The burden is now on them to sign the partial report,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on Storycon on One News.

In Filipino: Lacson: Posibleng Pagharap ni Zaldy Co sa BRC, Maaaring Magpalakas ng Suporta sa Partial Report

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Lacson: Constitution First in Government Response to ICC Charges

Upholding the Constitution must take precedence over all considerations —including loyalty to colleagues — in the government’s response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) charges against Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson maintained that the Senate’s moral ascendancy remains intact, so long as it adheres to the Charter – particularly the provisions on immunity from arrest under Art. VI, Sec. 11.

“If we violate the law of the land, we have nothing to discuss. We are complying with the provision of the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the land. It is clear that there is immunity from arrest if the penalty is six years and below, and Congress is in session,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on One News.

In Filipino: Lacson: Konstitusyon ang Unahin sa Tugon ng Pamahalaan sa mga Kaso ng ICC

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Ping Lacson to Remain Independent Fiscalizer Regardless of Senate Affiliations

Regardless of the outcome of the leadership race in the Senate, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson will remain independent and will continue his role as fiscalizer.

In an interview late Wednesday, Lacson pointed out it is not the alignments that is important, but how one stands and fights for the issues one believes in.

“Wherever I will go, I remain independent-minded. Since Day One, my stand on issues has been independent of the majority and the minority. Besides, I have experienced being on both sides,” he said in Filipino in an interview on One News.

“My stand is that I don’t need the pork or perks. So I don’t care if I’m with the majority or minority,” he added.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson Mananatiling Independent Fiscalizer, Anuman ang Magiging Resulta ng Senate Leadership Race

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Lacson To Continue Scrutinizing National Budget In Senate Comeback Bid [One News]

From One News: “Should I be given again the mandate to return to the Senate, I do not have to reinvent myself. I pledge to continue not availing of the pork barrel allocations in any shape or form. I will continue to be a vanguard of the annual national budget to the best of my ability,” Lacson said.

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