Palace backs Escudero as Duterte impeachment trial presiding officer

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday backed Sen. Francis Escudero’s election as presiding officer of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte amid a Supreme Court (SC) petition challenging the same.

Israelito Torreon and eight other lawyers, who are known to be allied with Duterte, filed a petition asking the high tribunal to issue a temporary restraining order or a status quo ante order against the impeachment trial after senator-judges elected Escudero as presiding officer.

READ: Amended rules allow other senators to preside over impeachment trials

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“As we understand it, this is also in accordance with the Constitution. Many legal luminaries, including former Supreme Court Justice Azcuna, have said that this is constitutional because there is no specific provision stating that someone other than the Senate President is prohibited from presiding over an impeachment trial,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said in a briefing.

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“So, it is within their right to bring the matter before the Supreme Court. But what exactly are they afraid of if, in the event that a lawyer is seated as the presiding officer of the impeachment trial?, added Castro.

The Senate has amended the rules of impeachment that would allow another senator to be elected by a majority vote of members present as presiding officer of the impeachment court.

Senate Resolution No. 430 amended Rule II of the existing rules of procedure on impeachment trials, which explicitly states that the Senate president should preside in all other cases of impeachment, except when the president of the Philippines is on trial.

Meanwhile, Duterte’s defense counsel said they were unaware of the petition filed before the Supreme Court.

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READ: Sara Duterte’s defense team did not know about Torreon-led SC petition

“I can categorically state that we were unaware there would be a petition or that there were plans to file one. I didn’t even know the petition had already been filed,” said lawyer Michael Poa in a press conference also held on Wednesday.

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According to Poa, while he and Torreon are acquaintances, they haven’t been in communication, especially regarding the petition.

He also clarified that the defense counsel has no opinion on the petition, stating that they will only focus on Duterte’s trial and that it would be inappropriate for them to say anything against the current presiding officer. /gsg

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