Sen. Imee Marcos on Friday questioned the role of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian as co-presiding officer alongside Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Marcos raised concerns over what she described as Gatchalian’s lack of an active role during the proceedings, saying the arrangement has created confusion and an “awkward” situation.

“Sobra naman kayo. Inaapi naman ninyo masyado si Sherwin. Senate President namin yan,” Marcos said.

“Kaya lang… bakit dalawa sila doon sa itaas?” the senator added, referring to Escudero and Gatchalian sitting together at the head of the Senate during Duterte’s trial.

She pointed out that during past impeachment trials, such as that of former President Joseph Estrada, the Constitution clearly required the Chief Justice to preside, with the Senate President present.

Marcos argued that the same clarity does not apply in the current case involving a vice president.

“Ang tanging exception lang kapag Pangulo, kaya Chief Justice, 'yun lang naman eh ang liwa-liwanag. Eh bakit pinagdedibatihan pa?”

“There's nothing to interpret. It's very clear.”

Marcos also questioned why Escudero was chosen to take on a leading presiding role if Gatchalian, as Senate President, would not be given a substantive function.

The senator further criticized the decision to put the matter to a vote, arguing that a simple majority in the Senate cannot alter constitutional provisions.

“Hindi simpleng boto ng majority ng Senado [ang] makakapagpalit ng konstitusyon”

Marcos warned that the current setup could undermine the integrity of the proceedings.

The Senate is currently convened as an impeachment court to hear the case against Duterte, with procedural issues continuing to draw debate among lawmakers.