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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate planning to designate Pangilinan as 'impeachment manager'

Senate planning to designate Pangilinan as 'impeachment manager'

Published May 6, 2026 03:11 pm

At A Glance

  • The Senate leadership is planning to designate one of its members to act as the impeachment manager in preparation for the possible impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson.

The Senate leadership is planning to designate one of its members to act as the impeachment manager in preparation for the possible impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. 

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson disclosed this on Wednesday, May 6, saying they are considering Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan to act as the “impeachment manager” for the upcoming trial.

Lacson pointed out the need to designate Pangilinan for the job since he is a lawyer. Aside from Pangilinan, only Pangilinan and Sen. Pia Cayetano are the two lawyers who belong to the Senate Majority bloc. The rest—Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, and Rodante Marcoleta are part of the minority bloc.

“We’re planning to appoint an impeachment manager, because Sen. (Juan Miguel) Zubiri is also not a lawyer. We want to try Sen. Kiko since he is a lawyer,” Lacson said during a Kapihan sa Senado forum.

“Moreover, he’s BFFs with Sen. Marcoleta, not in the same degree, not in the same category (with me), but they are also BFFs,” he said.

“(We need to appoint one) so that, in case, there is a question of law that needs to be interpreted, we need one who is well-versed on the rules of court, although the rules of impeachment will prevail here,” he pointed out.

“So the rules of court is suppletory. So it’s better that we have a lawyer who is familiar with the conduct of trials, so more or less he can signal to the Senate president if a motion can be overruled or sustained,” he pointed out.

The lawmaker, however, clarified that they have yet to take up this suggestion to the other members of the Senate majority bloc.

“But I was there when Sen. Zubiri made the suggestion, and Senate President (Vicente) Sotto said he is amenable to it,” he said.

“And I also agree because we really need a legal mind. As impeachment manager, he will act as shepherd, aside from the Senate president. He will act like a de facto majority leader (of the impeachment court),” Lacson explained.

Even if he is assigned as an impeachment manager, he said Pangilinan will still be a senator-judge capable of voting for or against the impeachment of the vice president. 

“Yes of course, he will still be a senator-judge. As impeachment manager, he will just be in-charge of maintaining the orderliness of the impeachment trial,” Lacson stressed.

Related Tags

Kiko Pangilinan Senate Senate impeachment court Philippines VP Sara Duterte impeachment Ping Lacson
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