By The Senate impeachment court on Monday elected Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero as its presiding officer over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte despite strong objections from the Cayetano-led minority, before settling key procedural issues, including the 16-vote threshold for conviction and rules on the presentation of evidence.
The opening day of only the country’s third impeachment trial was marked by an hour-long constitutional debate over who should preside before senators voted 12-8 to elect Escudero under Senate Resolution No. 39, as amended.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian initially convened the impeachment court before raising the election of a presiding officer. Sen. Panfilo Lacson nominated Escudero, drawing opposition from the Cayetano siblings, Senators Alan Peter and Pia.
