Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson suggested on Sunday that the Senate petition the Sandiganbayan to allow detained lawmakers to take part in the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to maximize the chamber’s voting capacity.
“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 explained during a radio interview.
“Hihingi kami ng permiso sa Sandiganbayan para sila’y payagang mag-attend.”
The proposal follows the recent arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who was ordered detained at the Quezon City Jail by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division over a non-bailable plunder charge linked to the alleged misuse of flood control funds. Estrada has denied the allegations.
Lacson emphasized the importance of adhering to the 1987 Constitution, which requires a two-thirds majority vote of all Senate members to secure an impeachment conviction.
Under the current Senate roster, 16 votes are needed to convict, while nine votes are required for an acquittal.
Meanwhile, leadership uncertainty hangs over the impeachment court ahead of the trial’s July 6 commencement.
Acting Senate President Win Gatchalian confirmed that notices for a June 18 pre-trial conference have already been sent to both the prosecution and defense. He added that the Senate’s updated impeachment rules, which outline the selection process for a presiding officer, have been officially published.
The leadership role remains contested. While Senator Alan Peter Cayetano took his oath as the presiding officer in May, Gatchalian has expressed intent to take over the post or potentially see the chamber elect a lawyer-member, such as Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero or Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
Cayetano’s camp maintains that he remains the legitimate head of the impeachment court.