Senate President and Presiding Officer Francis Escudero issued a stern appeal for civility on Monday, urging all parties involved in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte to keep their composure as political tensions mount.
Speaking at the opening of the trial’s 33rd day, Escudero addressed the courtroom amid what he described as a high-stakes environment where “tensions are running high and tempers are beginning to fray.” He cautioned participants not to let personal animosity derail the judicial process.
“But we must not lose sight of our common purpose, our duty is not to prevail over one another but to assist this Court in the fair and orderly administration of justice. This reminder applies not only to counsel present before this court, under the brightest spotlight on the largest stage, but to every lawyer beyond this courtroom,” Escudero stated.
Citing Section 2 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, Escudero reminded legal practitioners of their ethical obligation to treat colleagues with “courtesy, civility, fairness, and candor.” Turning to the general public and non-lawyers following the proceedings, he remarked that while freedom may be born in protest, “it only survives in civility.”
The Presiding Officer clarified that his reminder was intended to foster patience across all sides rather than in response to a single specific incident.
“Disagreement may be vigorous and criticism unsparing, but no cause is strengthened by contempt. No institution is preserved by conduct that strips another person of his or her dignity. Our duty is not to conquer one another in these proceedings, but to eliminate truth and serve justice. Let the arguments be forceful but never personal. Let the contest be exacting but never degrading. And when these proceedings are concluded, let it be the law, not anger, nor pride, nor applause,” he stressed.
Escudero emphasized that the Senate Impeachment Court would remain steadfast despite external noise and heated rhetoric.
“We shall not be distracted nor detracted by the rantings or tantrums of any inside or outside this courtroom. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about me, it’s not about you, it’s not about anyone of us here. Rather, it is about the country, our people, accountability, justice and fairness,” he added.