Abante urges senator-judges to hold VP Sara spox accountable over ‘lokohan’ remark

HOUSE Committee on Human Rights Chairperson Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. on Thursday called on senator-judges to hold Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s spokesperson, lawyer Paolo Panelo, accountable over his “lokohan” remark on the Senate impeachment court’s new voting threshold.

Abante, an endorser of one of the impeachment complaints against Duterte, said the court should examine Panelo’s statements under its sub judice rule despite his not being part of the Vice President’s impeachment defense team.

“Talagang sinabi ni Atty. Panelo, ‘May lokohan dito.’ Dapat talaga siyang managot sa Impeachment Court,” Abante said during a press briefing.

“Bakit? Sapagkat ’yung mga senator-judges ang sinasabi niyang naglolokohan,” he added.

Panelo criticized the impeachment court’s threshold ruling and questioned its fairness after senator-judges voted 13-1 Wednesday, with six not participating, to overturn the earlier interpretation that the two-thirds requirement would automatically be computed from all 24 senators.

Under the new ruling, the denominator will consist of senators who, at the time of the vote, remain legally and factually capable of participating in the proceedings.

Abante said Panelo’s role as Duterte’s official spokesperson should be considered in determining whether the sub judice rule applies to his remarks.

“I believe the Impeachment Court should also look into what Atty. Panelo said, being a lawyer, kung talagang ito ay sub judice, because he speaks about the matters of the impeachment,” he said.

The impeachment court adopted the sub judice rule in August and has since invoked it in reviewing public statements concerning Duterte’s ongoing trial.

Earlier this month, the court issued show-cause orders to two members of the prosecution panel over statements being reviewed for possible violations of the rule.

Abante said the senator-judges should likewise address Panelo’s remarks.

“Dapat ang senator-judges natin, eh, magsalita na at bigyan ng pananagutan si Atty. Panelo sa kanyang pagsasalita ng ganyan,” he said.