Marcos backs Escudero's return to preside over VP impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday raised no concerns with the possible return of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero as presiding officer of the impeachment court that will try the case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Escudero is criticized for his handling of the first impeachment proceedings in 2025 for allegedly stalling the trial for months.

READ: Escudero as presiding officer in Sara Duterte impeachment trial pending

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“I don’t think that reflects in any way on what – how he will do,” Marcos said in an interview with reporters in Kazan, Russia.

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“As a matter of fact, the rules that were – the rules that were adopted by the Senate were the rules that Senator Chiz wrote during the last year’s impeachment – when they were handling the last year’s impeachment complaint,” he added, adding he does not doubt Escudero’s ability to run the trial.

Marcos also recalled that Duterte’s impeachment trial was halted because of a Supreme Court ruling declaring the impeachment complaint unconstitutional.

“And that had nothing to do with Senator Chiz,” he said.

The President added that he would support whoever the Senate chooses as presiding officer as long as the process is done in a legal and constitutional manner.

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“I will definitely – I will definitely do whatever I can to work together with the legislature, with the Senate in particular, to make sure that things go smoothly,” Marcos added.

READ: Luistro unfazed by who will preside over VP Sara impeachment trial

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On Wednesday, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the new Senate majority bloc reached a consensus to elect Escudero as presiding officer if the Senate convenes again as an impeachment court.

When asked why they are considering Escudero for the post, Lacson replied: “He’s a lawyer and has experience with the impeachment process.”

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The pretrial conference for Duterte’s impeachment began on June 18, and the trial is set to begin on July 6.