Sara Duterte trial: Senator-judges clash over presiding officer

MANILA, Philippines—Electing a new presiding officer was the first issue debated by senator-judges when the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte began on Monday.

READ: Senate majority picks Escudero to preside over Sara Duterte trial

Senate President  Sherwin Gatchalian, who presided over the proceedings when the impeachment court opened around 2:00 p.m.,  called for the election of the presiding officer after delivering his opening statement.

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“Pursuant to  Rule 2, paragraph 2 of the rules of procedure on impeachment trials as amended, we now proceed to the election of the presiding officer of the impeachment court,” Gatchalian said.

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But as he was about to call Senator-Judge Panfilo Lacson for the election of the presiding officer,

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano raised a point of order.

Citing the 1987 Constitution, Cayetano insisted that the Senate president should preside over the impeachment trial.

Gatchalian reminded Cayetano that the rules were amended during the June 3 session of the Senate as a legislative body and nobody objected at that time./coa

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