Justice Kiko? Pangilinan thanks Panganiban for saying he should’ve been in the court

September 17, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Retired Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban praised the work of Sen. Francis Pangilinan when they worked together as a member of the Judicial and Bar Council, the body that screens and recommends nominees for vacant positions in the judiciary.

Panganiban said Pangilinan had been an “excellent” member of the council, representing the Senate.

“I think you should have been in the court, as a matter of fact,” the retired magistrate said.

Pangilinan thanked Panganiban for his kind words.

The exchange took place at the Senate Impeachment Court, where Panganiban was one of the amici curiae tapped by the court to give his views on the denominator for determining the two-thirds vote to convict in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.