No Senate request to lift Estrada’s suspension
The Senate has no plans for now to request the lifting of the 90-day suspension order issued by the Sandiganbayan against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who is currently detained on a nonbailable charge of plunder in addition to two counts of graft in relation to the flood control controversy.
“We cannot file [such a request before the] Sandigan because we are not a party of interest,” Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said on Thursday.
With Estrada in detention, the number of senators needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial is unclear.
Although there are discussions about possibly lowering the required number for Duterte’s conviction, Gatchalian reiterated that he will follow the Constitution, which places it at 16 votes regardless of how many senator-judges are present.
Earlier, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Estrada may file a motion and seek leave of court to attend Duterte’s trial under the custody of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology personnel.
