Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian clarified that no final decision has been made on Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero serving as presiding officer of the impeachment court.
“I don’t want to preempt the presiding officer discussion. Pag-uusapan pa ‘yan ng mga senators. Under the rules, it’s the Senate President who will preside unless the Senate decides otherwise,” Gatchalian said in a press conference a day after his election as Senate leader.
The statement came after Sen. Panfilo Lacson said in a chance interview on Wednesday that the majority bloc was considering Escudero for the role, citing the advantage of having a lawyer oversee impeachment proceedings. Lacson said this was among the points discussed during a special session called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Escudero, a lawyer, previously served as presiding officer in an earlier impeachment trial, Lacson noted.
Asked if he was amenable to Escudero taking the post, Gatchalian reiterated that he would not preempt any decision by the Senate as a body.
“We will discuss. But right now, as it stands in the rules, I will preside,” he added.
Lacson also raised the possibility of Supreme Court intervention, warning of a “practical absurdity” if the number of sitting senator-judges falls below the threshold needed to convict.
Under the rules, at least two-thirds of all senators must vote to convict, while nine votes are sufficient to acquit.
He said that if several senator-judges are unable to participate, it could result in a scenario where conviction becomes mathematically impossible, effectively turning the trial into an automatic acquittal.
“That’s the absurdity that can happen. If at least nine senator-judges are suspended, the trial becomes a mere formality for acquittal. I’d rather leave it to the wisdom of the Court to intervene if necessary,” he said on X.
In a radio interview, Lacson said proceeding under such conditions would be a waste of time and public resources.
“What is the point of an impeachment trial if only 15 senator-judges can vote? If conviction requires 16 votes, then it becomes a formality for acquittal. Why proceed with the trial?” he said.
He added that the Supreme Court is best positioned to resolve potential legal questions arising from the situation, noting that impeachment remains a political process.
Lacson also said the impeachment court may designate an impeachment manager to help ensure orderly proceedings. He described the role as similar to a “quarterback” assisting the presiding officer, akin to a majority floor leader in the Senate.
He said the majority bloc is also considering Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, a lawyer, for the role of impeachment manager.