Senator-elect Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday denied rumors that he recently met with Vice President Sara Duterte, calling the claim “absolutely false and outright malicious.”
Lacson issued the statement after reports surfaced suggesting that he and another senator-elect allegedly held a meeting with the Vice President.
The returning senator said he found the rumor particularly troubling given Duterte’s current involvement in an impeachment complaint already transmitted to the Senate.
“As an elected senator who is a potential senator-judge in the impeachment trial involving the Vice President should the said trial cross over to the 20th Congress, it is the height of impropriety to meet with her,” he said.
Lacson stressed that he holds the institution of the Senate and its constitutional duties in the highest regard and added that as a newly elected lawmaker, he remains committed to maintaining impartiality and public trust in the legislative process.
The former police chief and seasoned legislator said he respects the importance of due process and separation of powers in matters of national accountability.
“Under normal circumstances, I find nothing wrong if newly elected senators or congressmen paid a courtesy call on the second highest official of the land, which I actually did with then Vice President Robredo when I won my third term in 2016,” Lacson said.