Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan clarified on Monday that the 1987 Constitution does not require the incumbent Senate president to lead the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte or any other impeachable official.
He emphasized that the 39-year-old Charter only explicitly mandates the Supreme Court Chief Justice to preside when a sitting president is the one on trial.
“Nowhere in the Constitution, in the provisions on public accountability and impeachment, does it say that the Senate president must preside when the vice president is under trial or any other impeachable officer,” he said.
Pangilinan’s statements came after Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano opposed the decision of the senator-judges to elect Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero over Senate President Win Gatchalian.
Pangilinan suggested that Cayetano raise his concerns either during a regular Senate plenary session or directly to the high court.
“This matter should be either discussed in the Senate, in plenary, as a legislative body, or if he has questions which may in fact turn out to be valid, he has brought this matter before the Supreme Court,” he continued.
“And therefore, this impeachment court is not the venue for this debate. If there is anyone who is out of order, with due respect, I think the proper process is the matter is pending before the Supreme Court,” he furthered.
Despite resistance from Cayetano and his sister, Senator Pia Cayetano, the Senate impeachment court pushed through with the vote, successfully installing Escudero as the presiding officer with a 12-8 tally.