Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the Senate may be convened as an impeachment court as soon as it receives the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. However, the actual trial is not expected to begin until June.

Lacson said Senate President Vicente Sotto III prefers an immediate convening of the impeachment court. 

However, Lacson noted that procedural steps could take about three weeks before the trial proper begins. 

These steps include issuing summons, submitting replies, and holding a preliminary conference to set stipulations and possibly mark evidence.

"Once the Articles of Impeachment are transmitted to us, if we follow the processes, we're talking of at least three weeks before the actual trial starts," he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

Lacson explained that a pre-trial or preliminary conference could help define the issues to be tackled during the proceedings. This process may involve the Senate President or his legal adviser.

Lacson cited the impeachment trial of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona, noting that the lack of a pre-trial led to confusion, especially with the introduction of “surprise” witnesses during the hearings.

"I recall that during the trial of Corona, there was no preliminary conference, so there was some confusion during the trial because 'surprise' witnesses were introduced. It is better to have a preliminary conference where the prosecution and defense agree on which issues would be tackled and which would not before the trial," he said.

TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER

Meanwhile, on the possibility of a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Supreme Court, Lacson said the impeachment court would deliberate and vote on how to respond if such an order is issued against the Vice President.

"I believe that so long as the Supreme Court does not issue a TRO, the trial will continue. But if it compels us, we will discuss the matter. The impeachment court is a constitutional body and the Supreme Court has said it respects not only the Senate but the impeachment court as co-equal. The impeachment court's decision cannot be appealed even before the Supreme Court. It is final," he said.

"I am not saying that it is an option to ignore the TRO. But we must discuss and vote on it. We will always make decisions based on the majority," he added.

A PLEA FOR IMPARTIALITY

Lacson said senators already met last Thursday to prepare for the possible proceedings, reminding members to remain impartial.

He noted that Sen. Robinhood Padilla of the minority bloc attended and was tasked to relay reminders to his colleagues.

"We must listen to the questions during direct and cross-examination, and base our decisions on the evidence," Lacson said.

He also said he is preparing for the trial by taking crash courses, while drawing on his past experience as a senator-judge during the Corona impeachment trial and as a witness in court during his years in law enforcement.

"I joked that I do have experience in court not as a lawyer but as a witness. When I was a law enforcer, I took the stand as a witness or arresting officer - or even an accused," he said in jest.

BUDGET FOR IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS

Lacson estimated that around P27 million may still be available for the impeachment proceedings, noting that only P512,000 of the P27.544 million allocated in the 2025 budget for the previous impeachment complaint was used for senator-judges’ robes, IDs, and other materials.

"The amount is under the continuing appropriations in the 2025 budget. It may be used this year. If not, the amount will be treated as savings and returned to the treasury," he said.

-Paraluman News