Politics · Philippines Bureau
Panganiban questions fairness of absentee senators in impeachment trial
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban has raised concerns about whether senators who are absent from impeachment trial proceedings should be allowed to participate in voting. Panganiban questioned the equity of letting absent lawmakers cast ballots when others have committed time to hearing arguments and reviewing evidence.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban on Wednesday challenged the fairness of allowing absent senators to vote in ongoing impeachment proceedings, questioning whether lawmakers enjoying leisure abroad or avoiding public view should have equal say in verdict deliberations.
Panganiban raised the procedural concern as the Senate continued its impeachment trial, noting the disparity between senators who have actively attended hearings and examined evidence against those who have remained absent from the proceedings.
The former chief justice's remarks underscore ongoing debates about parliamentary conduct and accountability within impeachment processes. The question of quorum requirements and absentee voting has periodically emerged as a contentious issue in high-profile Senate trials conducted in the Philippines.
Panganiban's intervention reflects broader concerns among legal experts and observers regarding the integrity and legitimacy of impeachment trials when full participation cannot be guaranteed throughout extended proceedings.