A coalition of civil society groups is warning that Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is the worst possible choice to preside over Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.
Tindig Pilipinas called Escudero “the most imperfect and one of the most dangerous” options among the Senate's available picks. The group said this in a statement on Friday, June 19.
The coalition's concern goes back to Escudero's role as Senate president during the early stages of Duterte's impeachment. On August 6, 2025, the Senate under Escudero's leadership voted to archive the articles of impeachment against Duterte. That move effectively killed the case.
Tindig Pilipinas accused Escudero of using a “twisted interpretation” of the constitutional directive to proceed “forthwith” with impeachment proceedings. The group said that interpretation became the basis for delaying and deferring the process.
“Legal knowledge alone doesn't guarantee fairness, impartiality, or fidelity to the spirit of the Constitution,” the group said, dismissing arguments that Escudero's law background makes him suitable.
The possibility of Escudero serving as presiding officer was first raised by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday, June 17. “As per our [the majority's] consensus as of this morning, we will elect Senator Chiz Escudero, when we convene again as a Senate impeachment court, to be the presiding officer,” Lacson told reporters.
Tindig Pilipinas warned that appointing Escudero could further damage public trust in the Senate. The chamber's new leadership has been trying to rebuild trust after weeks of political turmoil and leadership disputes.
The group urged the majority bloc to instead allow Senate President Win Gatchalian to preside over the proceedings.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he sees no issue with Escudero as presiding officer. “Those are opinions. I don't think that reflects in any way on what [or] how he will do,” Marcos said in a media interview in Kazan, Russia, on Thursday, June 18.
Marcos also defended Escudero, saying the 2025 impeachment trial was halted due to a Supreme Court ruling, not because of the then-Senate president's actions. He added that he would support whoever the Senate chooses.
Gatchalian, elected Senate president on Thursday, June 18, said the decision rests with the Senate impeachment court. He noted that under existing rules, he is the de facto presiding officer by virtue of being Senate president.
But on June 3, the Senate ousted Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president. Escudero played a pivotal role in that leadership shake-up after leaving the Cayetano bloc and voting for Gatchalian to be the new Senate president pro tempore and acting Senate president. On the same day, the Senate amended the rules to allow a senator other than the Senate president to serve as presiding officer through a majority vote of members present.
“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.”
The impeachment trial is seen as a defining test for the Senate and for Philippine democracy. The coalition warned that picking Escudero could further erode public confidence in the institution.