Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said senator-judges should reject any offer to become vice president if Vice President Sara Duterte is convicted and removed from office, arguing that the Senate must avoid even the appearance of personal gain while her impeachment trial is still ongoing.
Cayetano backed impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Chiz Escudero, who said he would refuse any nomination to replace Duterte because accepting the post after helping decide her fate would create a conflict of interest.
“All of us senator-judges should make this declaration. It’s essential that in all impeachment proceedings (especially of presidents and vice presidents), senator-judges are politically neutral and will have no incentive to convict except for evidence that proves the article/s of impeachment,” Cayetano said.
His position puts the focus on the integrity of the impeachment process while Duterte remains the duly elected vice president and has not been convicted. Cayetano said senators sitting as judges should decide the case solely on the evidence presented and should have no political incentive tied to a possible vacancy in the vice presidency.
Malacañang also pushed back against early discussions about replacing Duterte. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said talk of succession is premature while Duterte remains in office.
“Hindi po dapat pinag-uusapan ang pagpalit kay bise presidente sa panahon na ito. Napaka-premature. Igalang natin ang opisina ng bise presidente,” Castro said.
Escudero made a similar point when he said he would not accept the vice presidency if Duterte were removed.
“I will not accept for a simple reason, conflict of interest,” Escudero said.
Under Section 9, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, if the vice presidency becomes vacant, the President may nominate a replacement from among members of the Senate or House of Representatives. The nominee must then be confirmed by a majority of all members of both chambers, voting separately.
