Politics · Philippines Bureau
Lacson challenges Duterte camp over impeachment cost claims
Senator Panfilo Lacson has called on Vice President Sara Duterte's representatives to correct what he characterizes as a misleading estimate of impeachment trial expenses. Lacson disputed a P500 million figure, stating the actual Senate appropriation was significantly lower.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday pressed Vice President Sara Duterte's camp to clarify what he described as an inaccurate cost assessment related to her impeachment proceedings. The dispute centers on expenditure figures attributed to the Senate's handling of two withdrawn articles in the impeachment case against the Vice President.
Lacson challenged a P500 million estimate reportedly cited by Duterte's representatives, contending that the General Appropriations Act allocated substantially less funding for the impeachment trial. The senator indicated the actual budgeted amount stood at P27 million, a fraction of the figure being circulated.
The disagreement underscores ongoing tensions surrounding the impeachment process, which saw three articles initially filed against Duterte before two were withdrawn. Lacson's statement reflects continued scrutiny of both procedural and financial aspects of the high-profile political case.
The Vice President's office has not yet issued a formal response to Lacson's assertion regarding the cost discrepancy. The matter highlights broader debates about transparency and accuracy in reporting legislative expenditures related to major institutional proceedings.