Group: Escudero as impeach trial lead may impact Senate credibility

File photo of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero as presiding officer of the short-lived 2025 impeachment court.—PNA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — As the Senate got back on track after weeks of being tangled in chaos, a broad coalition of civil society groups, mass organizations, and concerned individuals has warned that designating Sen. Francis Escudero as the presiding officer of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could have a further impact on the Senate’s credibility.

In a strongly worded joint statement signed by several groups led by 1Sambayan, August Twenty One Movement, and individuals such as Fr. Flavie Villanueva, they acknowledged what it described as “tactical considerations” behind the reported plan, but it also raised concern on Escudero’s credibility to serve as a presiding officer given his previous role on the first time Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives.

READ: Escudero may return as VP impeachment trial presiding officer – Lacson

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