Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has expressed full backing for Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s commitment to turn down the vice presidency if Vice President Sara Duterte is found guilty and ousted during her upcoming impeachment trial.
Taking to social media on Monday, October 26, Cayetano called on his fellow lawmakers in the upper house to follow suit and take the same pledge.
“Tama po ito! All of us senator-judges should make this declaration,” Cayetano stated.
Escudero, who will act as the presiding officer of the Senate impeachment court, previously explained that stepping into the role after taking part in judging Duterte’s guilt would create a severe ethical dilemma.
“Hindi ko tatanggapin sa simpleng rason: Conflict of interest. Kami yung nagpasya. Hindi ata tama yon,” Escudero remarked during a podcast appearance.
Emphasizing the gravity of the proceedings, Cayetano stressed that judgments must stem strictly from hard evidence rather than personal political gain.
“It’s essential that in all impeachment proceedings, especially of presidents and vice presidents, senator-judges are politically neutral and will have no incentive to convict except for evidence that proves the article/s of impeachment,” he added.
Under the provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, a vacancy in the vice presidency requires the president to nominate a successor from the ranks of Congress. This appointment must then secure confirmation from a majority vote of both the Senate and the House of Representatives voting separately.
Both Cayetano and Escudero previously ran for the vice presidency in the 2016 elections, though both lost to former Vice President and current Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo