Groups oppose Escudero return as Sara Duterte trial presiding officer

CITIZEN VIGILANCE A coalition of advocates, academics and youth leaders launch “BantayImpeachment” in Quezon City on June 13, vowing to keep the Vice President’s Senate impeachmenttrial under close watch. The scrutiny has started with calls on the newSenate leadershipnot to put Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero back as the court’s presiding officer. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

As senators get back on track following a short-lived but tumultuous Senate leadership, a broad coalition of activist groups and concerned individuals warned on Friday that designating Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero as the presiding officer of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could “melt” the credibility of the chamber’s new majority.

Escudero is well-remembered as last year’s Senate president who refused to start “forthwith” Duterte’s trial after the House impeached her in February 2025. His move stalled the trial until it was finally aborted in July when the Supreme Court ruled that Duterte’s impeachment was unconstitutional.

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READ: Group: Escudero as impeach trial lead may impact Senate credibilityFEATURED STORIES