Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has been positioned as the leading choice to preside over the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson disclosed on Wednesday.
According to Lacson, members of the upper chamber have reached an informal agreement to elect Escudero as the presiding officer once the Senate officially transforms into an impeachment court for the trial, which is scheduled to begin on July 6.
“As per our consensus as of this morning, we will elect… Escudero, if we convene again as the impeachment court, to be the presiding officer,” Lacson stated.
Lacson explained that Escudero’s extensive legal expertise and prior experience with impeachment proceedings heavily factor into his qualifications for the role.
He further noted that the proposal was originally put forward by Senate President Win Gatchalian.
“Yun ang consensus namin as of this morning, pwede magbago. Si Senator Win mismo ang nag-suggest nito,” he noted.
While the consensus currently stands, Lacson clarified that the arrangement is not yet set in stone and could still shift before the impeachment court formally convenes.
This would not be Escudero’s first time handling such an assignment; he previously oversaw the Senate’s management of an impeachment complaint filed against the Vice President in 2025. However, that specific case was permanently archived without reaching a final verdict after the Supreme Court ruled the articles of impeachment void.
The Senate is currently organizing its timeline for the upcoming trial, with formal pre-trial procedures set to begin this Thursday.