Escudero urges Senate to avoid bias in VP Sara impeachment

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday reiterated his call for newly elected and reelected senators to refrain from taking a stance on the possible impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

During the Kapihan sa Senado, Escudero emphasized that Vice President Duterte’s endorsement of certain senatorial candidates did not necessarily indicate that they were affiliated with her or part of her political circle.

“Inendorso sila ni VP Sara pero hindi galing sa kanila. So patuloy ang aking magiging panawagan sa lahat ng nakaupo at marahil papasok din na senador — presumptive senators ika nga,” Escudero said, when asked if Duterte’s endorsements could influence the impeachment trial.

(They were endorsed by VP Sara, but they didn’t come from her. So I will continue to make my appeal to all those currently in office and possibly those who will enter the Senate — the presumptive senators, as they say.)

Escudero then urged them to withhold judgment on Duterte's impeachment case until a fair trial is conducted and all relevant evidence has been reviewed.

“Ayon sa rules sana iwasan nila na magbigay ng categorical na posisyon o sagot kaugnay nito hanggat hindi pa nagsisimula ang trial at wala pa silang nakikitang mga ebidensya pabor o kontra sa nasasakdal na si VP Sara," he continued.

(According to the rules, they should avoid giving a categorical position or answer regarding this matter until the trial has begun and they have seen evidence either for or against the accused, VP Sara.)

Several of the 2025 Senate race winners received endorsements from the Vice President.

Citing Philippine political history, Escudero lamented that endorsed candidates can still end up turning their backs on the very person who supported them.

“Nakita niyo naman sa social media na nagbago-bago ng posisyon ang mga in-endorse dati, kinakalaban na nila ngayon ang nag-endorse sa kanila dati, ‘yung kalaban nila dati kakampi na nila ngayon," he explained.

(You've seen on social media that the positions of those who were previously endorsed have changed; they are now opposing the ones who endorsed them before, and their former opponents are now their allies.)

"So kung ang pagbabasehan ko ay kasaysayan, hindi ng partikular na senador, kasaysayan sa larangan ng pulitika ng ating bansa, nakikita natin na nagbabago-bago ‘yon," he added.

(So if I base it on history, not just that of a particular senator, but the history of our country's political landscape, we can see that it changes.)

Escudero went on, "To each his own. Nagbabago yan sa kada sitwasyon at sa kada tao (It varies depending on the situation and the person)."

The impeachment court is set to convene when the session resumes on 2 June.

The 12 newly elected senators will join the 12 incumbent senators as senator-judges for Duterte's impeachment trial.

Meanwhile, Escudero said the Senate has already made all the necessary preparations for the impeachment court's operations.

“Mas mataas ang lebel ng kahandaan ng Senado, pati ‘yong invitations, ‘yong ID, ‘yong security preparations, ‘yong holding areas ng prosecution, ng defense panel nakahanda na rin hanggang sa detalye ng parking-an nila, hinanda na rin namin at handa na rin kami," he said.

(The Senate's level of preparedness is much higher — even the invitations, IDs, security arrangements, and the holding areas for the prosecution and defense panels are all ready. We've even prepared the details of their parking areas. We're fully prepared)

Escudero stressed the Senate has left no stone unturned, with meticulous preparation "reflecting how seriously they are taking the impeachment process, ensuring it runs smoothly and professionally."

A dry run is scheduled to take place after the Senate adjourns sine die on 13 June.

Further, the crimson red robes that senator-judges will wear for the upcoming impeachment trial were also unveiled to members of the media on Thursday.