Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has officially taken his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court that will oversee the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Senate on Monday, June 9, following a motion by Senator Joel Villanueva. Escudero’s assumption as presiding officer signals the formal beginning of impeachment proceedings, which are expected to capture national attention in the coming weeks.
Under Senate rules, the presiding officer is tasked with leading the impeachment court, ensuring order during the proceedings, and upholding constitutional protocols throughout the trial. However, the presiding officer is not expected to vote unless necessary to break a tie.
Other senators are scheduled to take their oaths as impeachment court judges on Tuesday, June 10. These senators will serve as impartial jurors during the trial and are expected to vote based solely on evidence presented in court.
The Senate will officially convene as an impeachment court starting Wednesday, June 11. At that time, pre-trial matters and rules of procedure are expected to be finalized. It is also anticipated that representatives from the House, who will act as prosecutors, will appear to formally present the Articles of Impeachment.
Vice President Duterte is facing multiple allegations, although details of the charges have yet to be fully disclosed to the public. Her camp has so far remained tight-lipped but is expected to release a formal statement soon.
This marks the first major impeachment proceeding since 2012, and political analysts are closely watching how the Senate, under Escudero’s leadership, will navigate this high-stakes process.