Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian stated that he opened the idea to his fellow senators to elect Senator Francis Chiz Escudero as a presiding officer to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

He clarified in his official statement that Sen. Escudero will preside over the trial, and he will retain full supervision to ensure that proceedings are conducted fairly.

“Senator Escudero will preside over the day-to-day conduct of the trial. As Senate President, I retain full supervision over the impeachment court and will stay closely engaged throughout, to ensure the proceedings are conducted fairly, in accordance with the Constitution, our Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials, and the highest standards of due process,” he said

Additionally, his decision will pave a way to do his other constitutional mandate or other duties of the Senate.

“This arrangement also allows me to help shepherd the other equally important business awaiting this chamber, chief among them, key Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) measures, deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget, and hearings in aid of legislation on urgent national concerns such as the flood control controversy and school-related violence and the other urgent business of the nation,” he said

He also assured the public this matter doesn’t mean that he disregards the trial, but it shows his determination to pay attention not just in the impeachment trial but also in the other duties that the Senate must face.

“Nais kong tiyakin sa taumbayan na hindi ito nangangahulugan na binabalewala natin ang bigat ng paglilitis na ito. Sa katunayan, ipinapakita nito ang ating determinasyon na bigyan ng buong pansin, kapwa ang paglilitis at ang ibang tungkuling nakaatang sa Senado,” he said

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