MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Senator Leila De Lima today urged her colleagues to expel Senator Manny Pacquiao for violation of the Philippine Constitution.

De Lima’s call to her fellow senators came just days after Pacquiao delivered a privilege speech defending the proposed restoration of the death penalty in the country.

During Pacquiao’s speech, and in response to interpellation by De Lima, the boxer-turned-politician repeatedly invoked God to justify his stand favoring the death penalty.

“When the government punishes, it’s not an individual act. That’s approved by God. That’s what the Bible says,” Pacquiao said.

De Lima, who was Justice Secretary during the Aquino administration, said: “Clearly, Senator Pacquiao, by invoking the Almighty, violated Article II, Section 6, of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which states ‘The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.’ ”

Philippine senators cannot be impeached.  However, they can be expelled by a three-fourths vote of the members of the Senate.