VP impeachment trial kicks off with Escudero as presiding officer, rules set

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte officially began on Monday, with Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero elected as the presiding officer of the impeachment court. The election took place despite strong objections from the Cayetano-led minority bloc in the Senate. Key procedural issues, including the 16-vote threshold for conviction and rules on evidence presentation, were also settled on the opening day. The first day of the country's third impeachment trial was marked by a constitutional debate over who should preside, lasting for an hour. Senators ultimately voted 12-8 to elect Escudero. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian convened the impeachment court before raising the election of a presiding officer. Senator Panfilo Lacson nominated Escudero, drawing opposition from Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano. Alan Peter Cayetano argued that the Constitution contemplates the Senate President as the presiding officer in impeachment trials, except when the President is on trial, when the Chief Justice presides. He warned that electing another presiding officer could expose the proceedings to constitutional challenges. Senator Francis Pangilinan countered that the Constitution only requires the Chief Justice to preside when the President is tried and does not mandate the Senate President to preside in cases involving the Vice President or other impeachable officials. Despite the objections, the chamber proceeded with the vote and elected Escudero. He pledged to conduct the proceedings with "prudence," "unquestionable impartiality," and "the cold neutrality of an impartial judge." Escudero resolved one of the trial's most consequential legal questions, ruling that conviction requires at least 16 affirmative votes. Three senators were absent on the opening day: Senator Rodante Marcoleta had been arrested, Senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada is detained, and Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa's whereabouts remain unknown. The court also settled procedural issues governing the presentation of evidence and witnesses. A three-day disclosure period for newly identified prosecution witnesses and five days for defense witnesses was adopted. The "one counsel, one witness" rule was also reaffirmed. With procedural issues settled, both sides delivered opening statements. Chief Prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro urged senator-judges to disregard politics and decide the case solely on the evidence. The defense, meanwhile, portrayed the impeachment as an attempt to overturn the mandate of more than 32 million Filipinos who elected Duterte in 2022.