Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson brushed aside ethical concerns about senator-judges replacing Vice President Sara Duterte if she is convicted and removed, taking a different position from Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Alan Peter Cayetano.
Asked by a reporter on how it would look since they are ones trying the Vice President, Locson replied that he doesn’t “see the connection.”
On the other hand, Sen. Escudero, who presides over the impeachment court, said he would refuse the position precisely because accepting it after helping decide Duterte’s removal would constitute a conflict of interest.
Sen. Cayetano backed Escudero and urged all senator-judges to make the same commitment.
“Tama po ito! All of us senator-judges should make this declaration,” Cayetano said, stressing that their verdict must rest on evidence, without the prospect of political advancement providing an incentive to convict.
The difference of opinion highlights the growing clash between what is legally allowed, and what is morally acceptable in Philippine politics of late.
Image from Senate of the Philippines FB