Group says Escudero ‘most imperfect’ choice to preside over impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines – Tindig Pilipinas, a coalition of civil society groups, expressed concern over reports that the Senate majority bloc plans to designate Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero as presiding officer during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“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,” the group said in a statement released on Friday, June 19.

The coalition said its concern stems from Escudero’s role during the initial stages of Duterte’s impeachment proceedings, when he served as Senate president.

It cited Escudero’s “twisted interpretation” of the constitutional directive to proceed “forthwith” with impeachment proceedings became the basis for delaying and deferring the process.

On August 6, 2025, the Senate under Escudero’s leadership moved to archive the articles of impeachment against Duterte, effectively killing the case.

“The argument that Escudero is best suited for the role because of his legal background is unconvincing,” the group said. “Legal knowledge alone does not guarantee fairness, impartiality, or fidelity to the spirit of the Constitution.”

According to Tindig Pilipinas, appointing Escudero as presiding officer could further damage public trust in the Senate, which the chamber’s new leadership has been trying to rebuild following weeks of political turmoil and leadership disputes.

“The impeachment trial is a defining test for the Senate and for Philippine democracy,” the group said, urging the majority bloc to instead allow Senate President Win Gatchalian to preside over the proceedings.

The possibility of Escudero serving as presiding officer was first raised by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday, June 17.

“As per our (the majority’s) consensus as of this morning, we will elect Senator Chiz Escudero, when we convene again as a Senate impeachment court, to be the presiding officer,” Lacson told reporters on the sidelines of the Senate’s special session.

Despite opposition from several groups over how Escudero handled Duterte’s impeachment trial in 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he sees no issue with the possibility of Escudero serving as presiding officer of the Senate impeachment court.

“Those are opinions. I don’t think that reflects in any way on what [or] how he will do,” Marcos said in a media interview in Kazan, Russia, on Thursday, June 18.

Marcos also defended Escudero, saying what would have been the 2025 impeachment trial was halted due to a Supreme Court ruling, not because of the then-Senate president’s actions.

He added that he would support whoever the Senate chooses as presiding officer of the impeachment court.

A day after his election as Senate president, Gatchalian, on Thursday, June 18, said the decision ultimately rests with the Senate impeachment court.

Gatchalian noted that under existing rules, he is the de facto presiding officer of the impeachment court by virtue of being Senate president.

On June 3, the Senate ousted Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president. Escudero played a pivotal role in that leadership shake-up after leaving the Cayetano bloc and voted for Gatchalian to be the new Senate president pro tempore and acting Senate president.

On the same day, the Senate amended the rules that will allow a senator other than the Senate president to serve as presiding officer of the impeachment court through a majority vote of members present. – Rappler.com