At A Glance
- Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson described former Malacañang spokesman Salvador Panelo's impeachment case remarks as "nonsensical" as the latter appeared to be "preempting" senators regarding their votes.
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, during the Commission on Appointments (CA) deliberation of the ad interim appointments of 35 senior officers of the AFP. (Senate PRIB photo)
Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson described former Malacañang spokesman Salvador Panelo's impeachment case remarks as "nonsensical" as the latter appeared to be "preempting" senators regarding their votes.
"Why is Panelo trying to sound smarter than us? No one can speak on my behalf," Lacson said in a television interview on Friday, April 17.
Lascon was reacting to Panelo's claim that he, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III and Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan would vote to convict Vice President Sara Duterte once her impeachment case reaches the Senate.
Lacson maintained that they, sitting as impeachment court judges, will "always be guided by the evidence".
"We haven't reached the trial stage, why is he preempting us and calling us 'pusakal/feral'?" he asked.
As potential judges, senators must be circumspect in their statements, noting that the public would closely scrutinize their actions, according to Lascon.
He says there is no reason to decide other than on the basis of evidence, as senators would be questioned if they vote to convict despite weak evidence, or to acquit despite strong evidence.