DISGRACED ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano is pathetic and so detached from reality.
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson thus dismissed on Friday Cayetano’s insistence that he will preside over Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial because he is still Senate President.
“He is pathetic. I do not know why he is acting weirdly lately. He is so detached from reality. For a change, he should listen to reason as expressed independently by the following who have validated the action taken by 12 of his colleagues last Wednesday,” he said.
Lacson noted the latest Senate leadership change last June 3 was recognized by the Executive Branch, House of Representatives, retired Supreme Court Justice and 1987 Concon Concon Delegate Adolf Azcuna, former Senate President Franklin Drilon and other former Senate leaders.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines, law deans, and professors of juridical science and political theorists have done the same, he added.
Wednesday’s Senate leadership change came after Sen. Francis Escudero joined the 11 members of the then-minority bloc during that day’s session. Citing the Supreme Court’s Avelino v Cuenco ruling, the new majority declared all positions vacant, and elected Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President.
Also, the Senate amended the rules of impeachment, adopting Senate Resolution 430 that would allow another senator elected by a majority vote as the impeachment court’s presiding officer.
Under the amended rule, the Senate President shall preside over the impeachment trial unless the Senate by a majority vote elects another senator as presiding officer.
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