Lacson urges senator-judges: Practice discernment in VP trial

Senator-judges Panfilo Lacson and Lito Lapid talk during Day 8 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. — Photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta/INQUIRER MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judge Panfilo Lacson on Friday urged his fellow senator-judges to exercise discernment in asking clarificatory questions, saying irrelevant queries are slowing the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. According to Lacson, some questions raised during the proceedings are unrelated to the impeachment and only cause unnecessary delays while testing the patience of the public following the trial. “With all due respect to my colleagues, sometimes we are the ones slowing down the proceedings. Because sometimes the questions being asked in the impeachment trial are not relevant, why are they being inserted?” he said. Article continues after this advertisement “The presiding officer has been accommodating and has shown respect to our colleagues. I think we should be mature enough to discern what questions we can ask to clarify matters we do not understand,” Lacson added in an interview with DZMM radio. READ: Lacson throws shade at ‘bopol’ senator-judge Lacson also said some irrelevant questions may stem from emotion or personal leanings toward either the prosecution or the defense, stressing that senator-judges should remain objective. Meanwhile, Lacson said regular caucuses among senator-judges could help remind them of the appropriate demeanor and the kinds of .questions that should be raised during the proceedings. He reiterated that the trial’s current pace remains slow despite the prosecution trimming its witness list and warned that, at three trial days a week, proceedings could stretch into early 2027. Article continues after this advertisement “In fairness to the vice president, she is entitled to a speedy trial,” Lacson said. So far, nine of the 92 scheduled trial days have been held since the impeachment trial opened on July 6. /das Article continues after this advertisement Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.