MANILA – Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday commended his fellow senator-judges for remaining composed during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte despite what he described as repeated “lectures” from one of their colleagues.

In a post on X as the trial entered its third day, Lacson said the senator-judges have exercised restraint throughout the proceedings.

“Day 3: I commend my fellow senator-judges for keeping our cool and not engage a colleague who has been lecturing us since Day 1 of the impeachment trial, as if being not members of the bar, we will be less judicious in rendering fair judgment,” Lacson said.

Lacson also said the issue regarding the 16-vote threshold required to convict the Vice President has been clarified following the response of Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero.

He said any party that believes the impeachment court committed grave abuse of discretion is free to elevate the matter to the Supreme Court.

“Ngayong settled at maliwanag na ang issue ay isa nang justiciable issue or controversy – kung merong party na gustong kwestyunin sa Korte Suprema kung sa tingin nila ay may ‘grave abuse of discretion’ ang impeachment court, malaya silang gawin yun (Now that it is settled and clear that the issue is a justiciable issue or controversy, any party that wishes to question it before the Supreme Court if they believe the Impeachment Court committed ‘grave abuse of discretion’ can do so),” he said.

On Tuesday, Lacson sought clarification from Escudero on whether a conviction in the impeachment trial would require the affirmative vote of at least 16 senator-judges. Escudero replied in the affirmative.

Lacson said he raised the matter because many had asked whether the 16-vote threshold reflected Escudero’s legal opinion or an official ruling of the impeachment court.

He reiterated that he agrees with the requirement of 16 votes for conviction, noting that the Senate still has 24 members under the 20th Congress despite the detention of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta and the continued absence of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa.

“Hindi ako tutol, bagkus nakikiisa ako sa pananaw na dapat 16 talaga ang bilang sa ngayon dahil kahit may nakakulong at nagtatago, kasama pa rin sila sa bilang ng 24 senators under the 20th Congress (I agree with the view that 16 votes are needed to convict because even if there are senators who are detained and in hiding, they are still considered senators in the 20th Congress),” he said.