Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has dismissed assertions that the upcoming Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will disrupt the ongoing investigation into alleged flood control project scams.
According to Lacson, these claims are merely being peddled by colleagues who have prematurely entered “campaign mode” ahead of the 2028 elections.
During a television interview on Friday evening, Lacson explained that the Senate majority has collectively chosen to ignore the accusations, noting that they fully understand the political motivations driving them.
“Hayaan na lang natin silang mangampanya… Hindi talaga made-derail yan. Given naman yan. Sinasabi lang (nila) yan. Alam mo kasi may mga kasamahan kami na tatakbo sa 2028,” Lacson said.
While Lacson refrained from naming specific individuals, none of the allies of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano have officially declared a presidential bid for 2028. However, Cayetano himself, along with Senators Loren Legarda, Robin Padilla, Mark Villar, and Jinggoy Estrada, are all gearing up for reelection.
Lacson suggested that the narrative was manufactured simply to capture public attention as early political positioning takes shape.
“Naunawaan namin ang kanilang mga Facebook Live, kanilang social media, kanilang interview sa media,” Lacson said.
The veteran lawmaker’s remarks came in response to Cayetano’s earlier insistence that the looming impeachment proceedings must not get in the way of the upper chamber’s look into the alleged flood control irregularities.
Currently, Vice President Duterte is the sole public figure who has openly declared an intention to vie for the presidency in 2028.
Ultimately, Lacson emphasized that the Senate majority sees no benefit in engaging in a war of words over the issue.
“Naunawaan namin ang kanilang mga sinasabi kasi this early, campaign mode na yung iba,” he said. “So ang position namin, kami sa majority, huwag na lang patulan.”