By Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
RECORDING Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero as the manager of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s trial will do nothing to restore public trust in the Senate, political analysts said, citing controversies that marked the way the case was handled last year.
“Public confidence in the Senate’s handling of the impeachment process has been affected by the controversy and delays that have surrounded past cases,” said Arjan P. Aguirre, a political science professor at Ateneo de Manila University, in a Facebook Messenger interview.
“Because of this, any decision to appoint Senator Francis Escudero as chief executive will definitely be viewed through that lens,” he added.
Mr. Escudero did not immediately respond to a Viber message seeking comment.
The Senate is expected to decide whether Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian will preside over the trial court or whether another senator will be appointed to the position. Under the rules of impeachment, the Senate president serves as chief executive unless the chamber decides otherwise.
Mr. Aguirre said this year’s trial is different from the one in 2025, when the Senate is facing uncertainty ahead of the mid-term elections and political calculations have complicated the handling of the impeachment appeal.
“The Senate was operating under the midterm elections, which created uncertainty about committee composition and political motivations,” he said. “This year, the composition of the Senate has been adjusted, reducing one source of confusion.”
He added that extensive discussion by the House of Representatives on impeachment documents and public scrutiny would provide a solid foundation for the trial regardless of who would represent the case.
Mr. Escudero was criticized in 2025 after arguing that the constitutional mandate that the Senate proceed “immediately” with impeachment complaints did not require immediate action. The court adjourned the proceedings.
In April, the Supreme Court ruled that “promptly” means doing something “at a reasonable time,” leaving the decision of what is reasonable to the discretion of the Senate.
Many public organizations oppose the plans to appoint Mr. Escudero as the manager, said that his previous explanation contributed to the delay in the trial process.
Paul Micah SA Francisco, who teaches political science at the University of Santo Tomas, said those disputes made any future role of Mr. Escudero under the “microscope of accountability.”
He went on to say that further delay would be difficult because the trial court had already met.
Mr. Francisco said Mr. Gatchalian will be the right choice as he is the chief executive officer of the chamber by default.
“If we look at how his leadership and expertise ended ‘Senateflix,’ he will be a better choice compared to Chiz Escudero,” he said.
Nevertheless, he noted that the lack of legal training of Mr. Gatchalian may raise concerns in a decision that has important constitutional questions.
Instead, Mr. Francisco nominated Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III, citing his experience during the trial of former President Joseph “Erap” E. Estrada and the trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Hansley A. Juliano, who is also a political science teacher at Ateneo, said “there is merit in giving senior senators, currently Senate President Pro Tempore Tito Sotto.”
Analysts also pointed to Senator Francis Pancratius “Kiko” N. Pangilinan as a strong candidate because of his legal background, although they acknowledged that his support for the opposition party may affect public opinion.
“Intellectually, according to record and official information, our best bet would be Sen. Francis Pangilinan,” said Mr. Juliano. “However, as someone who is clearly identified with the opposition, it will only put Duterte’s public sector forward against the process.”
Other senators who are likely to be considered include Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Senator Pilar Juliana “Pia” S. Cayetano and Senator Rodante D. Marcoleta.
Mr. Francisco said that law degrees alone will not determine the outcome of the trial because the trial is still a political process.
“The impeachment process is not just a judicial and legal process,” he said. “It’s still a political system where decisions can only be made based on evidence. It’s all about numbers.”
