MANILA — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson challenged fellow Senator Robin Padilla on Monday, October 12, to clarify his public remarks regarding an alleged “disregard for law” surrounding the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Lacson’s call for clarification follows a weekend radio interview where Padilla hinted that he and his political allies might boycott the remainder of the Vice President’s trial. Padilla cited supposed surprises and procedural issues, warning that the minority bloc values constitutional integrity and wishes to avoid seeing the law twisted.
According to Lacson, Padilla needs to specify whether his criticism targeted the entire impeachment tribunal—of which Padilla is a sitting member—or individual senator-judges.
Lacson warned that sweeping accusations against the collective body could undermine its credibility.
“I don’t know what Sen. Padilla meant by ‘disregard for law’ or if he was referring to the entire impeachment court where he is a member. If so, won’t his remark be taken as a direct assault on the integrity of the impeachment court?” Lacson pointed out.
Should Padilla’s comments point toward specific members of the court, Lacson stressed that transparency is essential.
“It is only fair that he clarify if his ‘disregard for law’ referred to the impeachment court or to individual senator-judges. If it is the latter, I hope he names them,” he stated.
Tensions surrounding the proceedings have heightened following a legal challenge filed before the Supreme Court.
Padilla, alongside Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and their party, PDP-Laban, previously petitioned the high court to invalidate the Senate impeachment court’s September 23 ruling concerning the voting threshold required to convict Vice President Duterte.