Lacson backs seeking court nod for detained senators in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday suggested seeking permission from the Sandiganbayan to allow detained senators to participate in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to ensure the required number of votes is met.

“Halimbawa, may nakakulong at kung sakaling may sunod pang makulong, ang solusyon para talagang ma-maximize ang nagpa-participate o 'yung boboto, mag-motion kami, mag-leave of court kami, payagan silang mag-attend ng impeachment trial, maski under escort sila ng BJMP,” Lacson said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

(For example, if a senator is detained, and if more senators end up being detained, the solution to maximize participation and voting would be to file a motion and seek leave of court so they can attend the impeachment trial, even under the escort of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.)

“Hihingi kami ng permiso sa Sandiganbayan para sila'y payagang mag-attend,” he added.

Earlier this month, Senator Jinggoy Estrada was detained at the Quezon City Jail after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division ordered his arrest on a non-bailable plunder charge.

Estrada voluntarily went with authorities from the Senate, while maintaining that he had no involvement in the alleged misuse of flood control funds.

Lacson said he would adhere to the 1987 Constitution, which requires a two-thirds vote of all Senate members to secure a conviction in an impeachment trial.

Under the current composition of the Senate, 16 votes are needed to convict, while nine votes would be sufficient to acquit.

Meanwhile, the Senate impeachment court has yet to elect its presiding officer for Duterte’s impeachment trial, which is set to begin on July 6.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian earlier said notices for the June 18 pre-trial conference, which will be attended by both the prosecution and defense panels, had already been sent.

The amended impeachment rules, which provide for the election of a new presiding officer, have likewise been published.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano took his oath as presiding officer of the impeachment court in May. However, with Gatchalian serving as acting Senate president, he has said he would assume the role of presiding officer.

Gatchalian also said one of the Senate’s lawyer-members could eventually be elected to the position, including Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

Cayetano’s camp, however, maintains that he remains the impeachment court’s presiding officer.—MCG, GMA News