Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

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Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787711628292viber_image_2026-08-25_06-38-30 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero during the Day 15 of the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.<em> Joseph Vidal, Senate Social Media Unit/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero reminded senator-judges to remain impartial and politically neutral as they hear the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.</p><p>In his ruling Wednesday, Escudero reminded his fellow senator-judges of their oath “to do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws of the Philippines.”</p><p>He cited Rule 3 of the Rules of Impeachment, which requires senator-judges to observe political neutrality, defined as “the exercise of a public official duty without unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference.”</p><p>“As senator-judges, let us keep in mind our oath ‘to do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws of the Philippines,’” Escudero said.</p><p>“Taken as a whole, these principles remind us of our duty to preserve the impartiality of this Court and the fairness of these proceedings,” Escudero added.</p><p>Escudero clarified, however, that the requirement of impartiality does not prevent senator-judges from actively examining witnesses and lawyers during the trial.</p><p>“For avoidance of doubt, this shall not prevent senator-judges from examining the evidence where the examination belongs during the proceedings and on the record,” he said.</p><p>Citing a Supreme Court ruling, Escudero said a trial judge may ask questions to clarify facts, test a witness’ credibility and seek relevant testimony, even if the answers ultimately strengthen one party’s case or weaken the other’s.</p><p>“The inquiry must remain relevant, material, fair, and directed toward clarification of truth. It must not devolve into a speech, harassment, partisan advocacy, or an announcement of a conclusion already reached,” he said.</p><p>Escudero said both the prosecution and Duterte’s defense counsel must therefore be prepared to answer questions from senator-judges.</p><p>“The line is clear. Senator-judges may test the evidence here under oath and on the record, exercising the cold neutrality of an impartial judge,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>ESCUDERO WARNS AGAINST PARTISAN, UNPARLIAMENTARY REMARKS</strong></div><p>Escudero likewise reminded senators sitting as impeachment judges to observe parliamentary rules and refrain from personal attacks and statements that could undermine the dignity of the proceedings.</p><p>He cited the Senate rules, which prohibit acts or language deemed unparliamentary and offensive or improper language against another senator, public institution or third party.</p><p>“Henceforth, I hope senator-judges shall refrain from unparliamentary remarks, personal attacks, imputations of improper motive, and other language incompatible with the dignity of these proceedings and of parliamentary courtesy to other people,” Escudero said.</p><p>He assured fellow senator-judges that he would allow “reasonable latitude” for serious deliberation, noting that disagreements and vigorous debate are expected in the proceedings.</p><p>“Firmness need not be unkind, nor courtesy come at the expense of duty. Both serve the same end, the fair and honorable administration of justice,” he said.</p><p>Escudero also said senator-judges who believe they have been subjected to violations of the impeachment oath, Rule 3, Rule 18 or other applicable Senate rules may pursue an internal remedy through the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.</p><p>He said, however, that disciplinary matters involving senators should not be taken up by the impeachment court itself, as doing so could divert attention from the impeachment case against Duterte.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RULE 18</strong></div><p>The ruling also addressed Rule 18 of the Rules of Impeachment, which governs public statements concerning the merits of a pending impeachment case.</p><p>Escudero said his ruling was issued following a manifestation and motion filed by defense lead counsel Sheila Sison on Aug. 12, as well as explanations from counsel for prosecution lawyer Amando Ligutan.</p><p>The issue arose after Ligutan made a social media post that the defense argued referred to statements made during the proceedings. </p><p>Escudero said his ruling on Rule 18 was being made not only in response to the defense motion but also on the basis of his own independent findings.</p><p>Escudero ended his first ruling by reminding senator-judges of three duties: to observe impartiality and political neutrality, to follow parliamentary rules and refrain from improper remarks, and to exercise their authority to question witnesses and counsel “during the proceedings on the record, instead of through commentaries in social media.”</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/26/duterte-impeachment-trial-ligutan-fb-post-misleading-1111">&#x27;It&#x27;s not personal&#x27;: Ligutan says &#x27;teacher&#x27;s instinct&#x27; prompted FB post</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/26/impeachment-court-to-strictly-enforce-sub-judice-rule-vs-trial-by-publicity-1103">Impeachment court to &#x27;strictly enforce&#x27; sub judice rule vs &#x27;trial by publicity&#x27;</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/26/vp-sara-prove-impeachment-case-with-evidence-not-insults-1045">Sara Duterte: Prove impeachment case ‘with evidence, not insults’</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong></strong><strong>WATCH</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/foqMBjPyZe8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero reminded senator-judges to remain impartial and politically neutral as they hear the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.</p>

Impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero reminded senator-judges to remain impartial and politically neutral as they hear the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Escudero reminds senator-judges to remain impartial in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

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Escudero reminds senator-judges to remain impartial in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 26, 2026 10:36 AM PHT

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Updated August 26, 2026 11:46 AM PHT

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Impeachment trial

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