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Advocates Philippines
Escudero Sworn In As Presiding Officer Of Sara Duterte's Impeachment Trial
Photo credit: Senate PH
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday, June 9, 2025, officially took his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court that will try Vice President Sara Duterte — marking a significant step toward launching the country’s fifth impeachment trial in history, and the first ever involving a sitting vice president.
The oath was administered by Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. during the Senate's plenary session, setting the stage for formal proceedings. The move came just before the chamber referred the impeachment complaint to its Committee on Rules — the body now responsible for shaping the trial's schedule and rules.
While Escudero took the symbolic lead on June 9, the rest of the Senate is scheduled to follow suit on Tuesday, June 10, when the senators are expected to take their oaths as senator-judges. Once complete, the Senate will be formally convened as an impeachment court.
The referral of the complaint to the Committee on Rules was prompted by Senator Joel Villanueva and backed by Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who cited the constitutional duty of the Senate to move swiftly once a verified impeachment complaint is transmitted from the House of Representatives.
“We are merely following the letter and spirit of the Constitution,” Pimentel said, referencing Article XI, Section 3 (4) of the 1987 Constitution, which obliges the Senate to “forthwith proceed” to trial once the House acts.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros echoed the call, reinforcing the minority bloc’s push to begin proceedings without further delay. The mounting pressure also comes from civil society groups urging the Senate to act on the complaint, which was sent from the House as early as February 5 — well beyond the Constitution’s 100-day trial window.
Escudero’s oath follows more than four months of anticipation after the House impeached Vice President Duterte on charges of corruption, misuse of confidential funds, and allegedly issuing threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other high-ranking officials.
Now in the hands of the Committee on Rules, the Senate is expected to finalize trial logistics and formally administer oaths to the senator-judges. The Senate is also poised to reconvene on June 11, just two days before Congress adjourns sine die on June 13.
In a parallel development, Duterte’s allies are reportedly drafting a resolution calling for the dismissal of the case, arguing that the Senate’s delay in acting on the complaint amounts to inaction.
If the Senate proceeds to trial and finds Vice President Duterte guilty by a two-thirds vote, she would be removed from office and permanently disqualified from holding public office.
The oath was administered by Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. during the Senate's plenary session, setting the stage for formal proceedings. The move came just before the chamber referred the impeachment complaint to its Committee on Rules — the body now responsible for shaping the trial's schedule and rules.
While Escudero took the symbolic lead on June 9, the rest of the Senate is scheduled to follow suit on Tuesday, June 10, when the senators are expected to take their oaths as senator-judges. Once complete, the Senate will be formally convened as an impeachment court.
The referral of the complaint to the Committee on Rules was prompted by Senator Joel Villanueva and backed by Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who cited the constitutional duty of the Senate to move swiftly once a verified impeachment complaint is transmitted from the House of Representatives.
“We are merely following the letter and spirit of the Constitution,” Pimentel said, referencing Article XI, Section 3 (4) of the 1987 Constitution, which obliges the Senate to “forthwith proceed” to trial once the House acts.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros echoed the call, reinforcing the minority bloc’s push to begin proceedings without further delay. The mounting pressure also comes from civil society groups urging the Senate to act on the complaint, which was sent from the House as early as February 5 — well beyond the Constitution’s 100-day trial window.
Escudero’s oath follows more than four months of anticipation after the House impeached Vice President Duterte on charges of corruption, misuse of confidential funds, and allegedly issuing threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other high-ranking officials.
Now in the hands of the Committee on Rules, the Senate is expected to finalize trial logistics and formally administer oaths to the senator-judges. The Senate is also poised to reconvene on June 11, just two days before Congress adjourns sine die on June 13.
In a parallel development, Duterte’s allies are reportedly drafting a resolution calling for the dismissal of the case, arguing that the Senate’s delay in acting on the complaint amounts to inaction.
If the Senate proceeds to trial and finds Vice President Duterte guilty by a two-thirds vote, she would be removed from office and permanently disqualified from holding public office.
Jun 10, 2025
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