Escudero Wins 12-8 Vote to Preside Over Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial
Updated
Updated · Inquirer.net · Jul 6
Escudero Wins 12-8 Vote to Preside Over Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial
3 articles · Updated · Inquirer.net · Jul 6
Summary
Sen. Francis Escudero was elected presiding officer of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment court by a 12-8 vote among 21 senator-judges, replacing Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, who opened Monday’s proceedings.
Rule changes adopted on June 3 drove the switch: Gatchalian said the amended impeachment rules allowed the court to elect a presiding officer, and that no senator objected when the resolution passed.
Alan Peter Cayetano and the Senate minority challenged the move, arguing the Constitution makes the Senate president the presiding officer and that any rules amendment needed prior notice and court adoption.
Escudero said he would uphold the trial’s fairness and integrity; he also presided over Duterte’s first impeachment case in 2025 before the Supreme Court voided it and the Senate archived the case.
The new trial stems from fresh House complaints filed after the one-year impeachment ban lapsed, culminating in Duterte’s renewed impeachment on May 11.
Will Senator Escudero's controversial leadership of the court restore public trust or confirm fears of a rigged outcome?
With political dynasties at war, can this impeachment trial deliver justice or is it merely high-stakes political theater?
Inside the 2026 Senate Impeachment Trial of Sara Duterte: Allegations, Dynastic Rivalries, and the Future of Philippine Politics
Overview
The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte began on July 6, 2026, marking a major event in Philippine politics. Senator Francis Escudero leads the Senate as presiding officer, promising impartial justice. The trial features serious charges, including grave threats and alleged misuse of funds, with both sides preparing extensive witness lists. This process highlights the deepening rivalry between the Duterte and Marcos families and is seen as a crucial test for the rule of law and public trust. The outcome could reshape political alliances and set important precedents for future accountability of top officials.