Sara Duterte impeachment trial: Chiz elected presiding officer
The Senate elected Escudero under amended impeachment rules that let other senators preside, following Duterte’s renewed impeachment by the House.
- On Monday, July 6, 2026, the Senate elected Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero as presiding officer for Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial by a 12-8 vote.
- Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian initiated a debate regarding who should lead the court, as Senator Alan Peter Cayetano argued the 1987 Constitution mandates the Senate President preside over all non-presidential impeachment trials.
- Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan countered that the Senate holds authority to promulgate its own impeachment rules, citing amendments approved on June 3 allowing the election of another senator as presiding officer.
- Following the vote, Escudero assumed the chair, marking his second time presiding over an impeachment trial for Duterte despite objections from the minority bloc led by Cayetano.
- Constitutional law professor John Molo explained that because the 1987 Constitution only mandates a Chief Justice for presidential trials, the Senate retains authority to determine its own presiding officers for other impeachment cases.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Designation of Escudero violates the Constitution, law expert says
THE designation of Sen. Francis Escudero as the presiding officer in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte runs counter to the intent of the framers of the Constitution, and puts the ongoing proceedings at risk of being declared void, an international law expert said Monday.International law consultant Melissa Loja said the records of the 1986 constitutional commission show that the framers intended the Senate president to preside…
The daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte and presidential candidate in the 2028 elections must face a second impeachment procedure.
Gatchalian is right — Chiz may preside over Sara Duterte's trial. Here's why.
It was no surprise that Senator Chiz Escudero presided over Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, given Senator Ping Lacson’s earlier pronouncement. He was formally elected as the presiding officer during the trial’s opening on Monday, July 6. But still, the senators from the minority bloc led by Cayetano siblings gave their all to block his election. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano insisted that the Senate president — in the present case…
Sen. Chiz Escudero will preside over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Sara Duterte impeachment trial: Chiz elected presiding officer
Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero was elected on Monday as presiding officer of the impeachment court that will try the case against Vice President Sara Duterte....Keep on reading: Sara Duterte impeachment trial: Chiz elected presiding officer
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