Senator Panfilo Lacson warned that detentions of fellow senators could complicate the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, which is set to begin on July 6. He suggested options such as seeking court permission for detained senators to attend as judges. Lacson also noted that Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian may step aside for a lawyer to preside.
In radio interviews, Lacson said detained senators might need permission from the Sandiganbayan to participate in the trial while escorted by Bureau of Jail Management and Penology personnel. He stressed that the Senate and the impeachment court are separate entities, so preventive suspensions from legislative duties should not automatically bar service as senator-judges.
Lacson highlighted the requirement of 16 votes for conviction and noted that preventive suspension of nine or more senators could leave only 15 available. He described scenarios where the trial might need to pause until suspensions end or where motions could interpret suspensions narrowly.
Lacson added that the Senate majority could elect a lawyer, possibly Francis Escudero or Francis Pangilinan, as presiding officer instead of Gatchalian. He rejected any suggestion to lower the conviction threshold below 16 votes.
