Senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte who are facing arrest and detention may still participate in the proceedings without resorting to online attendance or voting, Senator Ping Lacson said.
Lacson said this will remain in compliance with the Rules of the Senate, where online or remote participation and voting is allowed only in cases of force majeure or extreme circumstances, and in national emergencies.
“One remedy is for the Impeachment Court to ask the Sandiganbayan or any court/s to which their cases would be assigned for ‘leave of court,’ and if granted, order the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology or their custodian/s to escort them to the Senate so they may participate in the impeachment trial of the Vice President. The senator-judges will be physically present,” the veteran legislator said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.
“We cannot allow online participation because that is reserved for force majeure and national emergencies.”
“Work-from-jail is not allowed,” the seasoned lawmaker added. “We cannot allow online participation because that is reserved for force majeure and national emergencies.”
Presently, Senator Ronald dela Rosa faces arrest by virtue of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, in connection with the anti-drug war of the Duterte administration. Dela Rosa is in hiding.
Other senators face possible plunder and graft charges in connection with the flood control scandal, while another faces charges of plunder and indirect bribery involving campaign donations.
“Allowing online participation and voting in Senate proceedings – and possibly the impeachment trial – may be a double-edged sword.”
“The impeachment trial involves a Senate-created special tribunal tasked under the Constitution to try and decide impeachment cases. Under the Constitution, the Senate must convene as an Impeachment Court to conduct the impeachment trial,” Lacson said.
Meanwhile, he noted that allowing online participation and voting in Senate proceedings – and possibly the impeachment trial – may be a double-edged sword, as it would increase the chances of the senators concerned being tracked down and captured.
Lacson said that in the case of dela Rosa, law enforcers can track him once he logs into the Senate session.
“If dela Rosa wants to participate and uses his mobile device or laptop, he inadvertently helps law enforcement in tracking him down,” he said. “If the law enforcers see his IP address, they have a good chance of getting him.”
