Lacson not sure yet about voting for Merci's impeachment

Despite being a supposed ally of the Aquino administration, Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday said he's not sure yet whether he will vote for the impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez once the case is elevated to the Senate. "I'm not a shoe-in judge na boboto (who will vote) for the impeachment of Ombudsman Gutierrez. That much I can assure," said Lacson, speaking for the first time in front of the media since coming out of hiding. The senator likewise noted that he never really felt that he was an ally of the Aquino administration, except when he reads it in the newspapers. "There were frequent moments I felt the persecution had never stopped even after a new administration took over the reins of power," he said. Lacson said he will vote based on the evidence presented against Gutierrez. "I have not seen the evidence, I haven't seen the articles of impeachment (but) I was a victim ng pag-walang bahala sa rules of evidence (of a disregard for the rules of evidence)," he said. Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto III had earlier said the Senate is expected to covene as an impeachment court when Congress resumes session on May 9 this year. Article XI, Section 3 of the Philippine Constitution specifically states that "no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate." - VVP, GMA News