Lacson to Santiago: You’re a pathetic absentee senator

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago and former Senator Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago is a “pathetic absentee solon,” former Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Thursday in reaction to Santiago’s latest rant over a proposal for him to help the Senate investigate the pork barrel scam.

“She’s nothing but a pathetic absentee solon, who will soon be facing corruption charges in the Sandiganbayan,” Lacson said in a text message to reporters.

Citing  information from a reliable source, the former senator claimed that Santiago has been approaching  people, who could influence Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to drop  the  corruption charges she is facing before the  Office of the Ombudsman.

“Unfortunately for her, the Ombudsman is one uncompromising, gutsy lady, who cannot be cowed or bought,” said Lacson.

“I think her (Santiago) only way out is to invoke her insanity,” the former senator  added.

Lacson was reacting  to Santiago’s statements, questioning his credibility as a special, independent investigator into the pork barrel  scam as proposed by Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.

Santiago, in a statement, repeatedly referred to the former senator as “Pinky” Lacson.