Metro Manila, Philippines – The Senate leadership is planning to appoint Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, a lawyer, as “impeachment manager” in the event of a trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson disclosed the plan during the Kapihan sa Senado media forum on Wednesday, May 6.
He said the impeachment manager would act as a de facto majority leader, ensuring order and adherence to court and impeachment rules during the proceedings.
“Mas mainam na ‘yung lawyer na sanay sa trial para more or less, masisignalan niya man lang si SP [Senate President] na yung objection would be overruled or sustained,” Lacson said.
[Translation: It would be better to have a lawyer who is experienced in trial work so he can, more or less, signal to the Senate president whether an objection should be overruled or sustained,” Lacson said.]
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III would serve as presiding officer in the event of a trial. Lacson noted that Sotto is not a lawyer, although he has been receiving a “crash course” from justices.
Lacson said the idea was suggested by Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri. He and Sotto expressed support for the proposal, although it has yet to be discussed with other senators.
“Si SP amenable siya. Sabi ko I also agree kasi kailangan natin tatalaga merong legal mind… kasi tayo mga abogag* lang naman tayo na paminsan-minsan nakakatsamba,” Lacson said.
[Translation: “The Senate president is amenable. I said I also agree because we need to appoint someone with a legal mind… since we are just pretend lawyers who occasionally get lucky.]
Aside from Pangilinan, Senator Pia Cayetano is also a lawyer from the majority bloc. Meanwhile, lawyers in the minority bloc are Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, and Rodante Marcoleta.
Impeachment Court
Senator Robin Padilla earlier hinted at the possibility of the minority bloc opposing the convening of the impeachment court should the House of Representatives transmit the Articles of Impeachment.
Lacson said such a motion would be put to a vote.
Asked whether refusing to convene would be unconstitutional, given that the Constitution requires a trial once the articles of impeachment are transmitted, Lacson said the issue could be haled to the Supreme Court.
