More than meets the eye

When Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced the delay in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, he was quick to dismiss any link between the postponement and the unfolding Senate leadership derby.

But in the slippery world of Philippine politics — where words often mask intent and timing says more than statements — many can’t help but suspect that there’s more here than meets the eye.

Escudero insists the delay is due to procedural prudence, citing the need to respect the “inter-chamber courtesy” between the Senate and the House of Representatives, where the impeachment complaints originated.

Technically, he is right. The Senate can only begin trial proceedings after the House transmits the articles of impeachment. But the Senate’s mood and posture do matter, and Escudero’s statement comes at a very specific political moment — just weeks after he successfully wrested the Senate presidency from Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri in a swift, albeit silent, coup.

This is why speculations of a Senate power play are gaining traction. Escudero, now at the helm, is carefully calibrating his moves in a chamber still rife with loyalties divided among various political factions. Some senators remain aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., others with the Duterte bloc, and a few stand independently, watching which way the wind blows.

In this volatile environment, every delay, every committee assignment, and every public pronouncement is viewed through a lens of power dynamics.

To be fair, Escudero has always projected himself as an institutionalist — someone who respects process and form. But his brand of realpolitik has never been about loud gestures. It’s the quiet reshuffling, the subtle delays, the diplomatic deferrals that mark his style.

Delaying the impeachment proceedings, whether intentionally or not, has the effect of cooling tempers and buying time — especially useful in a Senate still nursing wounds from the recent leadership shake-up.

More critically, Escudero’s statement on the impeachment delay seems designed to avoid further inflaming already polarized camps. On one hand, rushing into trial mode could be seen as antagonistic to the Duterte bloc, especially as Vice President Sara Duterte fights off accusations that are as political as they are legal.

On the other hand, appearing to dismiss the complaints outright would also alienate those pushing for accountability — both in the public and in the House. A delay, thus, offers a politically convenient middle ground.

But herein lies the rub: Delays in politics are never neutral. They send signals. They embolden one side while frustrating another. They reveal where the power lies — or where it is being consolidated. In this case, Escudero appears to be sending the message that the Senate, under his leadership, will proceed on its own terms. Not on the House’s. Not on Malacañang’s. And certainly not on the prodding of impatient factions.

Is this a power play? Maybe not in the blunt, overt sense. But in the chessboard that is Philippine politics, even a delay is a move. And Chiz Escudero, whether he admits it or not, has just made his.

As the political clouds gather toward 2025, and even 2028, every act — especially one as high-stakes as an impeachment — carries weight.

And in the Senate, timing is everything.