Senator-elect Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has expressed strong opposition to a draft Senate resolution authored by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa that seeks to declare the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte as de factodismissed under the 19th Congress.

In a statement, Lacson emphasized that only the Senate, when formally convened as an impeachment court, has the authority to rule on matters concerning impeachment cases—not the Senate acting in its capacity as a legislative body.

“The Senate as a legislative body has no jurisdiction over any impeachment issue. It is only when the Senate convenes as an impeachment court that it acquires the legal authority to act on such matters,” said Lacson, who is set to return to the upper chamber in the upcoming 20th Congress.

Lacson also rejected the notion that time constraints justify a dismissal of the case, noting that court proceedings, including impeachment trials, must continue regardless of changes in membership.

“The lack of time is not a valid excuse. Even if members of the impeachment court change, the trial should proceed just like in regular courts, where cases are carried forward even after a judge is replaced,” he explained.

Given the limited time remaining in the 19th Congress, Lacson suggested that the most prudent action is to allow the impeachment trial to carry over into the 20th Congress.

He warned that any move by the Senate to dismiss the impeachment case without first convening as an impeachment court may be legally questionable.

“They’re not even acting as an impeachment court, so they have no personality or authority to dismiss the case. Only the court itself—the Senate sitting as an impeachment court—can act on an impeachment properly transmitted by the House,” Lacson clarified.

When asked if the Senate could approve the resolution without convening as an impeachment court, Lacson responded: “They can always try, but I believe the Supreme Court will strike it down if challenged.”

The impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte has become a polarizing issue, and Lacson's comments underscore the potential constitutional and legal complications if the Senate moves forward with Dela Rosa’s resolution outside the bounds of proper impeachment proceedings.