Senator-judge Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday said the Senate Impeachment Court spokesperson should not publicly admonish senator-judges over their conduct during the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Lacson said lawyer Reginald Tongol should leave concerns involving possible sub judice remarks or other alleged indiscretions to the impeachment court, which can discuss and resolve them internally through a caucus.
“With due respect to Atty. Tongol, he is the spokesperson of the Impeachment Court and speaks on behalf of the Senator Judges. He should not make it appear he is cautioning or admonishing us,” Lacson said in English and Filipino during an interview on DZMM radio.
“If there are indiscretions committed by a senator-judge, it is best to take it up in an all senator-judges caucus, instead of lecturing in public or during the trial,” he added.
Lacson described as “uncalled for” Tongol’s remarks concerning a Facebook post by Senator-judge Robinhood Padilla.
He said the spokesperson’s role is to communicate the court’s position, not publicly criticize its members.
“It is not in his space to call the attention of senator-judges to adhere to Rule 18 of the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials, even sounding like he was admonishing Sen. Padilla for his FB comments,” Lacson said.
The senator, however, acknowledged that senator-judges must exercise restraint in public and avoid statements that could create the impression that they favor either the prosecution or the defense.
“As Senator Judges, we should be responsible enough, and conscious of our statements because we are senator-judges. We cannot make statements in interviews or during the trial that may project leaning towards the prosecution or defense,” he said.
Lacson also said the impeachment court may hold another caucus next week to discuss pending motions.
Among them is Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano’s proposal for the court to communicate with the Sandiganbayan and seek permission for detained senators, including Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, to attend the proceedings.