Analysts: Escudero impeachment role could weigh on credibility of Senate

By Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel

DESIGNATING Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero as presiding officer of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment trial might do little to restore public confidence in the Senate, political analysts said, citing controversies that marked the chamber’s handling of the case last year.

“Public confidence in the Senate’s handling of the impeachment process has been affected by the controversies and delays that surrounded the previous proceedings,” Arjan P. Aguirre, a political science professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“As a result, any decision to designate Senator Francis Escudero as presiding officer will inevitably be viewed through that lens,” he added.

Mr. Escudero did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

The Senate is expected to decide whether Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian will preside over the impeachment court or whether another senator will be designated for the role. Under the impeachment rules, the Senate president serves as presiding officer unless the chamber decides otherwise.

Mr. Aguirre said this year’s proceedings differ from those in 2025, when the Senate faced uncertainty ahead of the midterm elections and political calculations complicated the handling of the impeachment complaint.

“The Senate was operating in the shadow of the midterm elections, creating uncertainty regarding the chamber’s composition and political incentives,” he said. “This year, the Senate’s composition is already settled, reducing one potential source of disruption.”

He added that the House of Representatives’ extensive deliberations on the articles of impeachment and heightened public scrutiny could provide a stronger foundation for the trial regardless of who presides.

Mr. Escudero drew criticism in 2025 after arguing that the constitutional directive for the Senate to proceed “forthwith” on impeachment complaints did not require immediate action. The chamber later deferred the proceedings.

In April, the Supreme Court ruled that “forthwith” means acting “within a reasonable time,” leaving the determination of what is reasonable to the Senate’s discretion.

Several civil society groups have opposed plans to designate Mr. Escudero as presiding officer, arguing that his earlier interpretation contributed to delays in the impeachment process.

Paul Micah S.A. Francisco, a University of Santo Tomas political science instructor, said those controversies have placed any future role for Mr. Escudero under “the microscope of accountability.”

He added that another delay would be difficult because the impeachment court has already convened.

Mr. Francisco said Mr. Gatchalian would be the more appropriate choice since he is the chamber’s presiding officer by default.

“Just looking at how his leadership and professionalism ended the ‘Senateflix,’ he will be a better choice compared with Chiz Escudero,” he said.

Still, he noted that Mr. Gatchalian’s lack of legal training could raise concerns in a proceeding with significant constitutional questions.

Instead, Mr. Francisco suggested Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III, citing his experience during the impeachment trial of former President Joseph “Erap” E. Estrada and the trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Hansley A. Juliano, also a political science instructor at Ateneo, said there is “merit in giving way to more senior senators, such as now Senate President Pro Tempore Tito Sotto.”

The analysts also identified Senator Francis Pancratius “Kiko” N. Pangilinan as a strong candidate because of his legal background, although they acknowledged that his opposition affiliation could affect public perceptions.

“Fit-wise, purely on track record and legal experience, our best bet would be Sen. Francis Pangilinan,” Mr. Juliano said. “However, as someone clearly identified with the opposition, it will already predispose the Duterte voting section of the public against the procedure.”

Other lawyer-senators who could theoretically be considered include Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Senator Pilar Juliana “Pia” S. Cayetano and Senator Rodante D. Marcoleta.

Mr. Francisco said legal qualifications alone would not determine the outcome of the proceedings because impeachment remains fundamentally a political process.

“The impeachment process is not purely a judicial and legal process,” he said. “It remains a political process where decisions are not only made based on evidence. It is all about having the numbers.”