Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson is pushing back on claims by former presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, who predicted that only a handful of senators would vote to convict Vice President Sara Duterte if her impeachment case reaches the Senate.
Speaking on One News’ Storycon, Lacson took issue with Panelo’s assertion that he, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, and Tito Sotto would automatically cast guilty votes. The senator insisted that any decision would rest strictly on the evidence brought before the chamber — not on assumptions made before a trial has even begun.
Lacson also warned that senators are fully conscious of the public scrutiny that high-profile impeachment proceedings attract, citing past cases as precedent. He called Panelo’s remarks an improper attempt to preempt the Senate’s constitutional function, arguing it was premature to forecast the outcome of proceedings that have yet to commence.
Panelo, for his part, had expressed skepticism that the Vice President would face conviction, placing the likely tally of guilty votes at just four. He also raised questions about whether the impeachment complaint carries sufficient factual weight — a position that aligns with the stance of Duterte’s own camp.
Lacson’s pushback draws a sharp line between political commentary and the evidentiary standard that senators say will govern their judgment when — and if — the case proceeds to trial.
