SENATOR Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday raised concerns over the vote of three minority senator‑members of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) who supported a belated motion for reconsideration seeking to unseat Sen. Erwin Tulfo.
In posts on X, Lacson stated: “Justice and fairness went out of the window when three minority senator‑members voted in favor of an out‑of‑time motion filed by a petitioner without legal standing. Their motive may be deeper than personal issues against Sen. Tulfo.”
The SET voted 6‑3 on Friday to dismiss the motion, with the three Supreme Court justice‑members and three majority senators forming the majority. Lacson commended the six, saying they “undoubtedly knew the obvious procedural flaw” that led to the motion’s rejection. The three minority senators who voted in favor are Sens. Pia Cayetano, Robinhood Padilla, and Camille Villar.
The motion was filed by Berteni Causing, who sought to revive a quo warranto petition alleging Tulfo’s ineligibility over citizenship, dynasty ties, and academic qualifications.
The SET ruled the pleading was filed beyond the prescribed deadline, failed to meet filing requirements, and remained insufficient in form — all without prejudice to any properly filed future case. Lacson noted that Causing had already been dismissed last year for failing to prove he was a registered voter, a basic requirement; he again omitted this detail when refiling after the period had lapsed.
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