Manila: Senator-judge Panfilo Lacson indicated that the Sandiganbayan's refusal to grant detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada permission to attend the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte might make the impeachment court's decision on a related proposal redundant.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Sandiganbayan's decision potentially eliminates the need for the impeachment court to address Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano's pending motion. Cayetano had requested the court to liaise with the Sandiganbayan to allow Senators Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta to participate in the trial.

Lacson expressed that this development prevents the impeachment court from acting on Cayetano's motion, which could be perceived as interference in an ongoing judicial process. He emphasized that although the Sandiganbayan's ruling spares the impeachment court from making a decision on the matter, the issue should still be deliberated among the senator-judges, noting that his perspective is merely his "humble opinion."

Previously, the Sandiganbayan's Fifth Division dismissed Estrada's request for temporary leave from detention due to "lack of merit." Estrada had justified his request by arguing that his role as a senator-judge in the impeachment trial was a compelling reason for his attendance.

Cayetano had urged the impeachment court to seek the Sandiganbayan's permission for Estrada and Marcoleta's involvement in the trial, as both senators are currently facing charges of plunder and graft. This request followed presiding officer Francis Escudero's reminder that 16 votes are necessary for a conviction in the impeachment proceedings.