Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson called for stricter and more uniform enforcement of the two-minute time limit for senator-judges interpellating witnesses during the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing that the chamber must demonstrate internal discipline by respecting its own regulations.
Speaking in a radio interview on Saturday, Lacson noted that strict compliance with the allocated timeframe is vital to maintaining orderly proceedings and preventing unnecessary delays caused by overextended questioning.
“Kailangan naming ipakita may discipline kami. Pag sinabing two minutes, dapat two minutes,” Lacson said.
The lawmaker humorously suggested that Senate staff tasked with monitoring time limits might require a more commanding warning tool than the standard bell to stop senator-judges who exceed their allotted time.
“Sinasabihan ko ang tagabatingting, hindi ba pwede magdala ka ng sirena?… Bukod sa batingting, magdala siya ng kalembang para mas malakas,” Lacson quipped.
Lacson led by example during recent trial proceedings, strictly abiding by the two-minute restriction while interpellating an official from the Commission on Audit.