Manila: Senator Panfilo Lacson on Friday expressed skepticism about the proposal to allow online participation in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, including remote voting by Senator Ronald dela Rosa. The proposal is unlikely to succeed because existing Senate rules permit virtual attendance only during force majeure events or national emergencies.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson emphasized that altering the rules at this stage could delay the impeachment proceedings. He stated, "Hindi lulusot. At saka maantala kami pag binago namin ang rules on impeachment (Such a move won't succeed. And it might delay us if we have to change the rules of the impeachment court)," during a radio interview. He further explained that remote participation was previously allowed during the Covid-19 pandemic due to lockdowns that prevented senators from physically attending sessions, a situation no longer applicable.
Lacson referred to the proposal by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who on May 11 suggested amending Rule 14, Section 41 of the Senate rules. The amendment would allow a senator, "for justifiable reasons," to attend and participate in sessions through teleconference, video conference, or other reliable remote or electronic means. This proposal was made the same day Senator dela Rosa returned to the Senate after a six-month absence.
Under the current rule, the Senate President can convene and hold sessions remotely only due to force majeure or a national emergency, as determined by a majority of all senators, when such circumstances prevent the Senate from convening or its members from being physically present in the session hall. Marcoleta's proposal encountered no objections on the floor, but Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano referred it to the Committee on Rules for further consideration.
Lacson pointed out that the motion remains undecided and invalid unless the Senate amends its rules through the appropriate process. He stressed that any proposal concerning the impeachment trial should be addressed by the Senate sitting as an impeachment court, not during a regular plenary session, as impeachment proceedings have separate rules and procedures.
The issue is poised to impact Senator dela Rosa after the Supreme Court did not issue a temporary restraining order against the International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him.
