• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday described the recent incident at the Senate as “embarrassing,” as he joined the clamor for an impartial probe amid doubts raised by some sectors that the reported gunshots were staged.
Lacson said that regardless of the circumstances, the incident damaged the reputation of the Senate and tarnished its image before both Filipinos and the international community.
“What happened wasn’t good. It destroys the reputation of the Senate. I hope they can recover from it. It was a very unfortunate incident,” the governor said.
He stressed that the Senate leadership should work to restore the institution’s credibility and ensure that such an incident would never happen again.
“The leadership of the Senate should try to regain its status . It should not happen again,” he added.
Lacson also noted that Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who reportedly left the Senate premises following the incident, made it clear that he did not want to surrender to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Once de la Rosa is out of the Senate, he is no longer protected. He is on his own,” Lacson said.
He also expressed hope that the Senate would continue functioning normally, especially after the articles of impeachment had already been transmitted to the chamber.
“Filipinos will be watching the next move of the Senate,” he said, adding that such an incident should never happen anywhere in the country, especially within legislative institutions.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental 3rd district Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez said the public should be concerned over what transpired in the Senate.
“Gunshots, or even warning shots, should not be normalized in our institutions, especially in the Senate,” Benitez said.
Expressing his hope that a similar incident would not occur in the House of Representatives, the lawmaker called for calm to prevent further escalation.
Benitez also pointed out that the articles of impeachment are now with the Senate.
He added that senators are expected to decide whether to convene as an impeachment court, which he said is part of their constitutional duty.
“It will depend on what the Senate decides to do next,” Benitez said.*
