Senate not convening as impeachment court? Possible, says Lacson

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday said it remains a “possibility” that the Senate may not convene as an impeachment court when the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte are transmitted from the House of Representatives to the Senate.

In a press conference, Lacson said the Senate may have to vote first and decide if it will formally convene as an impeachment court, amid signals of possible opposition from some senators.

“Yes, that’s a possibility,” Lacson said during the “Kapihan sa Senado” forum.

“Kasi nga 24-member court ito na kung ano ang sabihin ng majority, ‘yun ang ruling ng court. Well, kung di pa na-convene ang impeachment court, we will rule as a Senate,” he added.

(This is a 24-member court and the will of the majority will rule the court. We have yet to convene as an impeachment court so the we will vote as the Senate.

On Monday, Senator Robinhood Padilla said the minority bloc may oppose the convening of the impeachment court.

However, other minority bloc members, including Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Imee Marcos, denied his remarks, saying they have yet to discuss the possible blocking of the convening.

“Ine-expect na namin na even the convening of the Senate as an impeachment court, o-objectan. Unang-una, nagsabi na na kaniyang ku-questinin ang basehan ng Articles of Impeachment, something like that,” Lacson said.

(We have already expected they will oppose even the convening of the Senate as an impeachment court. They have already said before that the first thing they will question is the basis for the Articles of Impeachment.)

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III earlier said senators are constitutionally mandated to convene as an impeachment court upon receipt of the Articles of Impeachment.

“Based on the Constitution, automatic yon. Trabaho namin yon... Kahit na anong sabihin ng iba, ang importante ang sinasabi ng Constitution ay kami ang tatanggap ng articles of impeachment, we convene into an impeachment court,” Sotto previously told reporters.

(That is automatic based on the Constitution. Whatever others will say, it is what the Constitution says, we accept the articles of impeachment, we convene into an impeachment court.)

Meanwhile, Lacson said Sotto is eyeing to appoint Senator Kiko Pangilinan as an “impeachment manager” in the possible impeachment trial against Duterte, citing his background as a lawyer.

This is in line with Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri’s recommendation, he added.

An impeachment manager will serve as “a de facto majority leader” who will steer the trial.

“Kung may questions of law na pwede iinterpret... Mas mainam na may lawyer na sanay sa trial,” Lacson said.

(If there are questions of law that needed to be interpreted, then it would be better if there is a lawyer that has experience in trials.)

The House Justice Committee report on the articles of impeachment against Duterte reached the plenary on Tuesday evening and was referred to the House Committee on Rules, which will set a schedule for plenary debate and vote.

At least one-third or 106 of all the 318 House members are required for Duterte to be impeached. — JMA, GMA News