Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson maintained that the Senate has no jurisdiction over the ethics complaint filed against Senator Chiz Escudero, as well as similar cases that may be filed in the future.
Earlier this month, Atty. Marvin Aceron lodged a complaint against Escudero over an alleged ₱30 million campaign contribution from a close friend who is a contractor during the May 2022 elections.
Lacson pointed out that the Office of the Ombudsman could also recommend a similar case against Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva, in connection with his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam back when he was still a representative of the CIBAC Party-list.
However, Lacson emphasized that both incidents took place before the two senators were elected to the Upper House.
“The jurisdiction of the Senate committee on ethics does not cover offenses allegedly committed by the members of the Senate before being elected as senators,” he explained.
He added that both Escudero and Villanueva may rightfully raise a jurisdictional issue at the proper time—unless Senate rules have since been amended.
Recalling his own experience in 2001, Lacson said he faced an ethics case during his first term as senator, based on accusations made when he was still serving as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.
“When we read the rules, we discovered such a provision, which I invoked, and thereafter, the ethics complaint was dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction,” Lacson shared.
He noted that, at the time, he was subjected to “all forms of harassment, including fabricated and fictitious bank accounts, illegal drugs, and other trumped-up charges.”