The Senate impeachment court on Monday elected Sen. Francis Escudero as presiding officer for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Escudero secured the post with 12 votes in favor and eight against.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano strongly objected to the election of a separate presiding officer, arguing that the 1987 Constitution provides that impeachment trials involving the vice president and other officials below the president should be presided over by the Senate President.
Escudero’s election was based on Rule 2 of the Rules of the Impeachment Trial, as amended during the June 3 session when Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore.
Gatchalian said Senate Resolution No. 48, which amended the impeachment trial rules, was adopted by the chamber without objection.
Under the amended rule, the Senate may elect, by majority vote, a presiding officer for the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte.
The vote marked a key procedural step as the impeachment court began formal proceedings on the case.