Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday admitted that he was hurt and offended by criticisms claiming he was merely sitting beside Presiding Officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, doing nothing.
Gatchalian said the criticisms, particularly those circulating on social media, affected him but maintained that he was only fulfilling his responsibilities as Senate President.
“Siyempre, nasasaktan, tao lang naman tayo. Na-o-offend, naiinsulto, nasasaktan. Pero ganyan ang social media. Tayo naman ay trabaho lang at ginagampanan lang naman natin yung ating responsibilidad,” Gatchalian said in an interview with DZRH radio.
He explained that under Senate rules, the Senate President retains “general supervision” over impeachment proceedings even when another official is designated as presiding officer.
Gatchalian said the Senate President continues to have authority over the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, noting that while the presiding officer may issue instructions, these must be coursed through the Senate President.
He cited the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada as a similar arrangement, in which then Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. served as presiding officer, while then Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. sat beside him during the proceedings.
Under the Constitution, the Chief Justice presides over the impeachment trial of a sitting president, while the Senate President presides over cases involving the Vice President and other impeachable officials.
“Kung mag-uutos sita (presiding officer), that is in line and in consultation with the Senate President. Kasi nakasulat sa ating Senate rules, ganon ang naka-disenyo,” he said.
Gatchalian said senators agreed to designate Escudero as presiding officer so he could continue overseeing the Senate’s other responsibilities, particularly with regular sessions set to resume on July 27.
He said an impeachment trial consumes about 6 hours daily, the same amount of time allotted to regular Senate sessions.
“Tinitignan ko yung kabuuan ng mga activities ng Senado. Tinitignan ko yung kabuuan ng mga dapat tapusin ng Senado. At ngayon, mid-July na, by August, papasok ang budget. Meron pang LEDAC bills na 50 na hindi pa natatapos. May mga investigatons rin na nakapila…So, maraming bagay na sabay-sabay ang nangyayari,” he said.
“Kaya ang sinuggest ko sa body na mag-designate tayo ng presiding officer para sabay-sabay ay kayang gawin ng Senate President yung mga nakapila na mga gawain tulad ng budget at yung mga iba pang panukalang batas,” he added.
Gatchalian said he could not simply leave Escudero alone at the podium because his presence remains necessary to ensure that the proceedings are conducted properly.
“Under our rules, ang Senate President ay nananatiling merong general supervision over the impeachment proceedings. So ibig sabihin, responsibilidad pa rin ng Senate President na tumakbo ang Senate proceedings nang maayos at orderly,” he said.
Gatchalian said he will continue sitting beside Escudero until the conclusion of the impeachment trial.