The Philippine Senate has elected Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to lead the impeachment court tasked with trying Vice President Sara Duterte, unseating Senate President Win Gatchalian in a 12-8 vote shortly after the trial officially opened on Monday.
The leadership switch immediately drew pushback from Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, who argued that the 1987 Constitution designates the sitting Senate president to automatically chair the proceedings.
Cayetano also challenged the resolution that permitted the vote, asserting that any changes to Senate rules required at least a 24-hour notice before implementation.
“Even if the substitute presiding officer acts fairly, a conviction or acquittal reached under constitutionally defective process would invite judicial challenge and cast doubt on the validity of the entire trial,” Cayetano said.
Gatchalian dismissed the objection, clarifying that the resolution allowing the election had already been approved without any resistance during a plenary session on June 3.
This marks the second time Escudero will oversee an impeachment trial against the Vice President; he previously presided over a June 2025 trial during his tenure as Senate President, which was ultimately halted when the Supreme Court ruled the impeachment articles unconstitutional.