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Advocates Philippines
Duterte Ally Asks SC To Halt Trial, Challenges Escudero's Authority
Photo credit: Senate PH
A group of lawyers led by Israelito Torreon has asked the Supreme Court to suspend the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, arguing that Sen. Francis Escudero has no constitutional authority to preside over the proceedings.
In a Very Urgent Manifestation with Motion filed on Tuesday, Torreon and eight other lawyers sought a status quo ante order or other interim relief to stop the Senate impeachment court while the High Court resolves questions surrounding Escudero's authority and the validity of the Senate's amended impeachment rules.
The petitioners argued that Escudero's authority stems from the Senate's June 3 reorganization, which is already being challenged before the Supreme Court. They said allowing the trial to proceed under a presiding officer whose authority is under constitutional challenge could cast doubt on the validity of the entire impeachment process.
The legal challenge came a day after the senator-judges voted 12-8 to elect Escudero as presiding officer of Vice President Duterte's impeachment trial following changes in the Senate leadership. The petitioners maintained that the Constitution provides that the Senate President should preside over impeachment trials, except when the President of the Philippines is the respondent, in which case the Chief Justice presides.
However, several senators have expressed differing views on the issue. Former Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Francis Pangilinan have argued that the Constitution does not expressly require that only the sitting Senate President may preside over an impeachment trial, while Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has maintained that the rule allowing another senator to preside is unconstitutional.
Despite the petition, the impeachment court proceeded with the second day of the trial after the Supreme Court did not issue a temporary restraining order. Senate impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol said the proceedings would continue unless the High Court orders otherwise.
House impeachment spokesperson Rep. Terry Ridon also dismissed the latest legal move.
"Hindi pa ba sila naaawa sa puno? Nagsasayang sila ng papel."
Ridon said the impeachment trial would continue, stressing that the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, has already assumed jurisdiction over the case.
As of Tuesday evening, the Supreme Court had yet to act on the petition.
In a Very Urgent Manifestation with Motion filed on Tuesday, Torreon and eight other lawyers sought a status quo ante order or other interim relief to stop the Senate impeachment court while the High Court resolves questions surrounding Escudero's authority and the validity of the Senate's amended impeachment rules.
The petitioners argued that Escudero's authority stems from the Senate's June 3 reorganization, which is already being challenged before the Supreme Court. They said allowing the trial to proceed under a presiding officer whose authority is under constitutional challenge could cast doubt on the validity of the entire impeachment process.
The legal challenge came a day after the senator-judges voted 12-8 to elect Escudero as presiding officer of Vice President Duterte's impeachment trial following changes in the Senate leadership. The petitioners maintained that the Constitution provides that the Senate President should preside over impeachment trials, except when the President of the Philippines is the respondent, in which case the Chief Justice presides.
However, several senators have expressed differing views on the issue. Former Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Francis Pangilinan have argued that the Constitution does not expressly require that only the sitting Senate President may preside over an impeachment trial, while Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has maintained that the rule allowing another senator to preside is unconstitutional.
Despite the petition, the impeachment court proceeded with the second day of the trial after the Supreme Court did not issue a temporary restraining order. Senate impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol said the proceedings would continue unless the High Court orders otherwise.
House impeachment spokesperson Rep. Terry Ridon also dismissed the latest legal move.
"Hindi pa ba sila naaawa sa puno? Nagsasayang sila ng papel."
Ridon said the impeachment trial would continue, stressing that the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, has already assumed jurisdiction over the case.
As of Tuesday evening, the Supreme Court had yet to act on the petition.
Jul 7, 2026
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