For Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on July 6, Monday, the Senate impeachment court has elected Sen. Francis Escudero as its new presiding officer, replacing Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian in this role.
In Escudero’s opening remarks, he pledged that the proceedings will be conducted with “prudence, tempered with caution, and marked with unquestionable impartiality.” He also emphasized that senator-judges must remain neutral. He also said that he did not seek the position but would carry out the responsibility given to him “without fear or favor.”
Escudero explained that, in accordance with the Constitution, a conviction would require the support of two-thirds of the Senate, or 16 out of 24 senators. He added that while questions regarding the required voting threshold may be brought before the Supreme Court, the impeachment court will respect and follow any ruling issued by the high court.
The election of Escudero followed a Senate rule amendment allowing the impeachment court to choose a presiding officer other than the Senate president for non-presidential impeachment trials.
The move, however, drew objections from Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Sen. Pia Cayetano, who argued that the Constitution requires the Senate president to preside over impeachment proceedings except in presidential impeachment cases. Despite their opposition, the majority upheld the amended rules. Gatchalian later clarified that appointing Escudero was his own proposal so he could continue attending to his responsibilities as Senate president while still overseeing the overall conduct of the trial /Angel Mae Sabate
