Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero has been elected as the presiding officer of the Senate impeachment court for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, following a 12–8 vote among senators.

During the opening day of the impeachment trial, Escudero was formally chosen on Monday after being nominated by Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Escudero previously served as presiding officer of the impeachment court in 2025, when he was still Senate President.

His selection came despite opposition from Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, who warned that placing Escudero in the role could place the proceedings “at risk.”

Twelve senators voted in favor of Escudero’s election, while eight voted against it.

During the deliberations, lawmakers debated whether the Senate President is required to preside over impeachment proceedings.

Senator Kiko Pangilinan argued that the 1987 Constitution does not mandate the Senate President to automatically serve as presiding officer in impeachment trials.

“The Constitution does not provide that the Senate President must preside in cases of impeachment trial,” Pangilinan said.

Meanwhile, Cayetano insisted that the Senate President should preside over the trial, stressing that internal rules cannot override constitutional provisions.

“Are we here to change the rules? We cannot change the Constitution here today with internal rules,” Cayetano said during the session.