Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano calls on fellow senator-judges to publicly commit to rejecting the vice presidency if Vice President Sara Duterte is convicted and removed during her impeachment trial. Multiple outlets report that Cayetano frames the issue as a matter for senators sitting as judges in the case, aligning with a prior stance made by the trial’s presiding officer.
Outlets also highlight Francis “Chiz” Escudero, the impeachment presiding officer, who says he would refuse any nomination to assume the vice presidency if Duterte is removed after conviction. In one report, Escudero’s position is further explained through his remarks on a podcast episode, including his stated rationale about conflict of interest.
One outlet adds pushback: Panfilo Lacson says Cayetano’s call is uncalled for because it could preempt President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s choices for a potential replacement if Duterte is removed, and may limit those options. Across the coverage, the main points remain centered on the impeachment trial outcome scenarios and lawmakers’ stated intentions.
