Several opposition groups on Friday voiced concern over the possibility of designating former Senate President Francis Escudero as the Senate’s presiding officer on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Earlier this month, Escudero joined the new majority bloc of current Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, after being part of the current minority led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
“We express serious concern over the reported plan of the new Senate majority to designate Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero as presiding officer of the impeachment court of twice-impeached Vice President Sara Duterte,” the groups said in a joint statement.
“In a Senate composed of imperfect options, we recognize the tactical considerations that may have informed this plan. But among the available options, this is perhaps the most imperfect and one of the most dangerous. At a time when the Senate must restore public confidence in its independence and credibility, elevating Escudero to this crucial role risks achieving the opposite,” they added.
When he was Senate President, Escudero was previously under fire because of sending back the articles of impeachment against the Vice President to the House of Representatives.
