Senator Lacson denies budget weaponization claims in Duterte impeachment trial

Senator Panfilo Lacson has rejected allegations by Vice President Sara Duterte that the 2027 national budget is being weaponized to influence senator-judges during her impeachment trial. Lacson, chairman of the Senate accounts committee, stated that approximately P11 million in remaining funds is sufficient to cover the final stages of the proceedings, including the defense presentation.

Lacson also disputed claims from Duterte’s spokesperson, Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr., regarding the alleged waste of P500 million on the trial. The senator suggested a confusion between the Senate’s daily operating expenses and the specific costs of the impeachment process.

Regarding recent findings by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) concerning properties linked to Duterte, Lacson clarified that these findings cannot be included in the impeachment court as they fall outside the trial's current scope. He noted that such evidence may instead be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman or the Department of Justice for potential criminal proceedings. Malacañang has challenged the Vice President to provide evidence to substantiate her claims of political maneuvering.