Former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano’s insistence that he remains the Senate President and should preside over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte drew sharp criticism amid the continuing Senate leadership dispute.
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson dismissed Cayetano’s position, saying the former Senate leader should recognize the June 3 leadership change that installed Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President.
“He is pathetic. I do not know why he is acting weirdly lately. He is so detached from reality,” Lacson said.
According to Lacson, Cayetano should listen to the legal and institutional positions already expressed by various sectors that recognized or validated the action taken by 12 senators during Wednesday’s session.
He cited the Executive Branch, the House of Representatives, retired Supreme Court Justice and 1987 Constitutional Commission delegate Adolf Azcuna, former Senate President Franklin Drilon, other former Senate leaders, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, law deans, professors of juridical science, and political theorists.
The Senate leadership change happened after Senator Francis Escudero joined the 11 then-minority senators during the June 3 session. Citing the Supreme Court ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco, the new majority declared all Senate positions vacant and elected Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President.
The Senate also amended its impeachment rules through Senate Resolution 430, allowing another senator elected by majority vote to serve as presiding officer of the impeachment court.
Under the amended rule, the Senate President will preside over an impeachment trial unless a majority of senators choose another member to take over as presiding officer.
Lacson said the developments leave no basis for Cayetano’s insistence that he should preside over Duterte’s impeachment trial.