Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced he is ready to take on the responsibility of presiding over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, clarifying that he did not actively seek out the assignment.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Escudero expressed his commitment to the role despite not campaigning for it.
”Hindi ko ginusto ‘to, hindi ko hiningi ‘to, hindi ko hinanap ‘to. Pero, hindi ko rin tatalikuran ang inaatas na responsibilidad sa akin na tulungan ang Senado at Impeachment Court.”
Escudero, who previously ran a short-lived 2025 impeachment court during his term as Senate President, secured the leadership seat on July 6 after being nominated by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. The chamber voted 12-8 in his favor.
The election has sparked pushback from Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, who claims the selection process breached constitutional protocols.
However, Escudero welcomed any potential legal challenges, noting that a Supreme Court intervention would establish a helpful precedent for the legislature.
”Karapatan po nila ‘yan at mas maganda ngang iakyat nila sa Korte Suprema upang mapagpasyahan nang may buong linaw,” he said. “Para sa hindi malayong hinaharap o sa hinaharap, kung mangyari man ito muli, may gabay na tayo kung puwede nga ba o hindi ‘yan, at hindi na natin pag-aawayan pang muli ito.”
Despite the minority bloc’s ongoing objections to the rules utilized for the vote, Senate President Win Gatchalian maintained that the election was entirely legal, pointing out that the underlying resolution was adopted earlier this year without any opposition.