MANILA, Philippines—The impeachment case against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will not be “dead on arrival” in case it reaches the Senate for trial, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday, a day after administration Senator Juan Ponce Enrile was elected president of the upper chamber.

Lacson said that although the ouster of Senator Manuel Villar as Senate president triggered a realignment, the new majority bloc has members identified with the opposition like Senators Mar Roxas, Loren Legarda, Maria Ana Consuelo Madrigal, Rodolfo Biazon, Francis Escudero, Gregorio Honasan and Jose Estrada.

“One thing for sure, in case the impeachment complaint reaches the Senate it will not be dead on arrival,” Lacson said.

“There will surely be an impeachment trial so the senators can hear the case, the public will hear the pieces of evidence submitted. That’s one thing I can assure you,” he said.

But he could not ascertain if the complaint could get the needed votes in the administration-dominated House of Representatives for it to be transmitted to the upper chamber for trial.

“That’s another question. But what I can assure you is if it reaches the Senate it won’t be a DOA,” he said.