PGMN Anchor Orion Perez Dumdum explained Sen. Chiz Escudero’s role as presiding officer in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, pushing back against claims from Duterte-aligned supporters that Escudero’s position makes him an opponent of the vice president.
In a PGMN episode released before the Senate opened the impeachment trial on Monday, July 6, 2026, Orion said the presiding officer’s function is to manage the proceedings and enforce the rules of the impeachment court.
“Ang presiding officer ay tagapamahala ng proseso, tagapagpatupad ng rules,” Orion said.
Escudero was elected presiding officer when the Senate convened for Duterte’s trial. Orion said the role does not place Escudero on the side of the House prosecution and does not make him the official seeking Duterte’s removal.
“Hindi siya ang nag-file ng impeachment. Hindi siya ang House prosecution. Hindi siya ang nag-aakusa. Hindi siya ang nagsasabing tanggalin si Sara,” Orion said.
Orion also cited Escudero’s earlier caution that senators should be careful in commenting on the impeachment case because they may sit as senator-judges. He said that position reflects the need for impartiality, due process, and rule of law in a trial that must be decided through evidence.
“Ibig sabihin, kailangan ang impartiality. Due process. Rule of law. Hindi trial by TikTok. Hindi trial by Facebook comments. Hindi trial by galit,” Orion said.
The episode framed Escudero’s role as procedural. Orion said presiding over the impeachment court means running the trial, not prosecuting Duterte.
“Ang role niya, kung matuloy ito, ay patakbuhin ang korte. Hindi maging prosecutor,” Orion said.
He also urged Duterte supporters to keep their defense of the vice president factual and strategic, instead of treating Escudero as an automatic enemy.
“Ang panawagan dito ay simple lang: due process, fair trial, no railroading, no political persecution, no weaponization of impeachment,” Orion said.
The trial carries major stakes because impeachment can remove a high-ranking public official and shape how future accountability cases proceed. Orion said the Senate must protect the process from prejudgment as political pressure builds around Duterte’s case.
