Group: Escudero as impeach trial lead may impact Senate credibility

MANILA, Philippines — As the Senate got back on track after weeks of being tangled in chaos, a broad coalition of civil society groups, mass organizations, and concerned individuals has warned that designating Sen. Francis Escudero as the presiding officer of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could have a further impact on the Senate’s credibility.

In a strongly worded joint statement signed by several groups led by 1Sambayan, August Twenty One Movement, and individuals such as Fr. Flavie Villanueva, they acknowledged what it described as “tactical considerations” behind the reported plan, but it also raised concern on Escudero’s credibility to serve as a presiding officer given his previous role on the first time Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives.

READ: Escudero may return as VP impeachment  trial presiding officer – Lacson

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“In a Senate composed of imperfect options, we recognize the tactical considerations that may have informed this plan. But among the available options, this is perhaps the most imperfect and one of the most dangerous. At a time when the Senate must restore public confidence in its independence and credibility, elevating Escudero to this crucial role risks achieving the opposite,” Tindig Pilipinas said in a statement on Friday.

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Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday said that following a consensus of the majority bloc, they will elect Escudero as the presiding officer if they will convene again as an impeachment court. Lacson explained that Escudero is a “lawyer and has experience with the impeachment process.”

The group then recalled Escudero’s interpretation of the word “forthwith” in convening as an impeachment court when Duterte was impeached on February 5, 2025, noting that it “became the basis for delay and deferment of the impeachment process.” Escudero was the Senate President during that time.

“The argument that Escudero is best suited for the role because of his legal background is unconvincing. Legal knowledge alone does not guarantee fairness, impartiality, or fidelity to the spirit of the Constitution. An impeachment trial is not merely a legal exercise; it is a constitutional and political process that demands public trust in the neutrality of those who oversee it,” Tindig added.

READ: Escudero violates constitutional mandate on impeachment – 1Sambayan

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Escudero previously drew wide criticisms for adjourning the session on February 5, 2025 without tackling the articles of impeachment against Duterte. Senate secretary Renato Bantug received the impeachment document at 5:49 p.m., but it was not reported to the plenary before it adjourned shortly before 7 p.m.

Last August 6, the Senate voted to archive the first impeachment case against Duterte following a recent ruling of the Supreme Court. Only Sens. Vicente “Tito” Sotto, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis Pangilinan voted against it, while Sen. Panfilo Lacson abstained.

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With this, the group called on the Senate majority bloc to reconsider its decision and install Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian as the presiding officer for the impeachment trial which is set to begin on July 6, 2026.

“The impeachment trial is a defining test for the Senate and for Philippine democracy. It must demonstrate that no public official is above the law and that constitutional accountability cannot be defeated through procedural maneuvering,” it noted. /mr

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