MANILA, Philippines – Nagbabala ang isang malawak na koalisyon ng civil society groups, mass organizations, at ilang indibidwal na maaaring maapektuhan ang kredibilidad ng Senado sakaling italaga si Sen. Francis Escudero bilang presiding officer ng impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte.
Sa isang joint statement ng 1Sambayan, August Twenty One Movement, at ilang personalidad kabilang si Fr. Flavie Villanueva, kinilala nila ang tinawag na “tactical considerations” sa naturang plano, ngunit iginiit na maaaring makasira ito sa tiwala ng publiko sa Senado.
“In a Senate composed of imperfect options, we recognize the tactical considerations that may have informed this plan. But among the available options, this is perhaps the most imperfect and one of the most dangerous. At a time when the Senate must restore public confidence in its independence and credibility, elevating Escudero to this crucial role risks achieving the opposite,” ayon sa Tindig Pilipinas.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Sen. Panfilo Lacson na posibleng italaga si Escudero bilang presiding officer dahil sa kanyang karanasan sa impeachment process.
Ngunit iginiit ng mga grupo na hindi sapat ang legal na kaalaman para matiyak ang pagiging patas at impartial ng proseso.
“The argument that Escudero is best suited for the role because of his legal background is unconvincing. Legal knowledge alone does not guarantee fairness, impartiality, or fidelity to the spirit of the Constitution. An impeachment trial is not merely a legal exercise; it is a constitutional and political process that demands public trust in the neutrality of those who oversee it,” ayon pa sa pahayag.
Binalikan din nila ang naging papel ni Escudero sa unang impeachment case laban kay Duterte, kabilang ang kontrobersyal na desisyon na hindi agad talakayin ang articles of impeachment noong Pebrero 5, 2025.
Ayon sa grupo, ito ay nagresulta sa pagkaantala ng proseso, at kinuwestyon din nila ang naging hakbang ng Senado na i-archive ang unang impeachment case.
Nanawagan ang mga grupo sa Senate majority bloc na pag-isipang muli ang desisyon at italaga si Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian bilang presiding officer ng impeachment trial na nakatakda sa Hulyo 6, 2026.
“The impeachment trial is a defining test for the Senate and for Philippine democracy. It must demonstrate that no public official is above the law and that constitutional accountability cannot be defeated through procedural maneuvering,” dagdag pa nila. RNT/MND
