Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senate President Pro Tempore, said Senate President Vicente Sotto III continues to enjoy solid backing from the majority bloc as the chamber prepares for a possible impeachment trial involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Impeachment trial or no impeachment trial, there’s always the possibility of an attempt at leadership change. That will not go away. Such plots are usually hatched during session breaks,” Lacson said in a radio interview.
“At least to my knowledge, the majority bloc is solid because Senate President Sotto is leading well,” he added.
Lacson said he has advised Sotto to prepare for potential moves to block the impeachment proceedings, particularly from Duterte allies.
“The answer to Marcoleta’s threat lies in one word: Constitution,” Lacson said, referring to Senator Rodante Marcoleta.
He noted that senators have a constitutional duty to act as senator-judges in an impeachment trial.
Lacson also said he and Sotto have begun preparing for the proceedings by attending briefings on legal matters, including the Rules of Court and the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure.
He added that consultations with retired justices and legal experts are also ongoing as part of preparations for the anticipated trial