MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson voiced concern over the possible "absurdity" of the Impeachment Court being reduced to a mere formality for acquittal if at least nine of 24 senator-judges were detained and suspended by the Sandiganbayan.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said that at least nine senators were facing investigation for various corruption and plunder-related issues.
The senator on Thursday raised the need for the Supreme Court to intervene to address the situation.
He said that while the high court cannot intervene in the operation of the Impeachment Court, it can do so if the issue of grave abuse of authority is raised.
He cited the case of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada who was suspended for 90 days by the anti-graft court. Estrada is detained for plunder and was not allowed to post bail.
"Nothing can be clearer than this. Sen. Jinggoy cannot participate in the impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte for a period of 90 days," Lacson wrote on X on Wednesday.
"Ano ang saysay na impeachment trial kung 15 lang yung senator judges na present at pwedeng bumoto? Ano saysay? (For what will the impeachment trial be for if only 15 senator judges can vote, and 16 votes are needed to convict?)," Lacson said in a radio interview on Thursday.
The trial will be a mere formality for acquittal, he said. "I’d rather leave it to the wisdom of the Court to come up with a practical necessity to intervene," Lacson aded.
"Sabi ko, formality na ang acquittal, bakit pa tayo mag-trial? So diyan dapat mag-intervene ng Korte Suprema (The trial could be reduced to a formality for acquittal. So, the Supreme Court may need to intervene)," he said.
"Mas mainam nang sila na maginterpret yan. Dahil kung kami, maraming question, kasi pulitika yan. Samantalang ang Korte Suprema, they're beyond politics (It is better that the Supreme Court interpret it. The Impeachment Court can have its own interpretation but many questions can be raised. But the high court is perceived to be beyond politics)," he said.