Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson quipped about Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante after the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte was canceled on Wednesday.
In a post on his X account, Lacson wrote: “Impeachment trial cancelled today. Saan kaya matutulog ito? Kawawa naman.”
Lacson’s playful dig came after Abante repeatedly dozed off during the impeachment proceedings earlier in the week.
Abante was caught on camera appearing to fall asleep during Monday’s proceedings, prompting Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero to call his attention. The incident briefly interrupted the questioning of Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) Division Chief Rendell Sopeña.
Abante later admitted that he had fallen asleep, saying the defense lawyers’ questioning was tedious and “lousy.”
He was again photographed with his head bowed during Tuesday’s proceedings, appearing to be asleep, although he denied dozing off.
The impeachment court on Tuesday night announced the cancellation of Wednesday’s trial session, with proceedings set to resume on Thursday, October 1.
Impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Reginald Tongol described the one-day break as a “strategic procedural pause” intended to give both the prosecution and defense panels time to prepare for the upcoming whole-day hearings.
The marathon sessions are scheduled from October 1 to 15, running from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The pause will also allow both sides to review technical and voluminous financial records expected from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the Registers of Deeds.
Tongol said the court was not behind schedule, but was instead “aggressively ahead of schedule.”
