Escudero takes oath as presiding officer of Sara Duterte impeachment trial, Senator-judges to take oath on June 10

Senate President Chiz Escudero has taken his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Sen. Joel Villanueva made the motion for the oath-taking during the June 9 Senate session.

Meanwhile, senators are set to take their oath as Senator-judges on June 10, 4 p.m., while the impeachment court will still formally convene on June 11.

The Minority bloc, consisting of senators Koko Pimentel and Risa Hontiveros, earlier moved to convene the Senate as the impeachment court.

On Feb. 5, the House of Representatives impeached Duterte, citing a series of grave allegations, including conspiracy to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., large-scale corruption, abuse of public funds, and involvement in extrajudicial killings.

On the same day after the House's filing, the Senate went to recess without tackling Duterte's impeachment. It resumed its session on June 2, during which the House's panel of prosecutors was initially scheduled to read the impeachment charges against Duterte. It was moved to June 11 to "allow the Senate to tackle priority legislative measures before the 19th Congress adjourns."

Escudero has faced criticism over the delay, with some asking if he was "afraid" of Duterte or is protecting her.

His colleagues, including senators Hontiveros and Gatchalian, called on him to push through with the impeachment trial.

Several groups, meanwhile, announced holding demonstrations from June 9 to 11 to urge the Senate to convene as an impeachment court.

In the 24-seat Senate, it needs at least 16 or a two-thirds vote to remove Duterte from office. A successful conviction in an impeachment trial would remove one from their role and permanently disqualify them from holding public office in the future.