Senator Erwin Tulfo said the Constitution does not explicitly state that only the Senate president may serve as the presiding officer in an impeachment trial, expressing support for the position earlier raised by Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.

Speaking during the Balitaan forum of the Manila City Hall Reporters' Association (MACHRA), Tulfo addressed questions surrounding the designation of Senator Francis Escudero as presiding officer of the ongoing impeachment proceedings.

"Wala naman po, tama din po yung sinasabi po nina Sen. Kiko Pangilinan at Sen. Sotto. Wala po talagang malinaw na sinasabi po yung Constitution about dapat Senate President lang ang maging Presiding Officer sa Impeachment... Wala namang sinabing maski po doon. So parang silent po siya," Tulfo said.

Tulfo added that the Senate impeachment court remains open to any legal challenge regarding the issue and said they are prepared to abide by any ruling of the Supreme Court should the matter be elevated.

"Open naman po ang impeachment court. Kung may dadalo po doon, ma-kuwestiyon po ’yon. And I believe Senator Alan Cayetano will bring that. And we're anticipating na dadalhin niya po 'yon sa Supreme Court. Then we will wait for the result of the decision of the Supreme Court," he said.

Tulfo's remarks came amid continuing discussions over the constitutional basis for the appointment of the Senate's presiding officer in the impeachment trial, with some lawmakers maintaining that the Constitution does not expressly restrict the role to the Senate president.