MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judge Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Monday challenged fellow Senator-judge Robin Padilla to clarify whether his accusation of a “disregard for law” in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio was directed at the entire impeachment court or at specific members.
Lacson said Padilla’s remark could be seen as a direct assault on the integrity of the entire impeachment court if he was referring to the body of which he is also a member.
"I don't know what Sen. Padilla meant by 'disregard for law' or if he was referring to the entire impeachment court where he is a member," Lacson said.
"If so, won't his remark be taken as a direct assault on the integrity of the impeachment court? he added.
Lacson said Padilla should identify the senator-judges he believes have disregarded the law if his criticism was directed at individual members rather than the entire court.
"It is only fair that he clarify if his 'disregard for law' referred to the impeachment court or to individual senator-judges. If it is the latter, I hope he names them," he said.
In a radio interview Sunday, Padilla said he and his allies may skip the impeachment trial if there is "disregard for the law."
He cited what he described as many surprising developments, adding that if the supposed twisting of the law continues, "there may come a point when we won't attend."
Earlier, Padilla and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go and the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan petitioned the Supreme Court to nullify the Senate’s impeachment court's ruling on the voting threshold.
