Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero made it clear early on that he was not interested in taking Vice President Sara Duterte’s position should she be impeached.
In a report by Raymund Dadpaas, Escudero cited personal reasons for refusing the seat, and told reporters it was improper to be speaking of the notion as the Senate head is among the judges of the impeachment trial against Duterte.
“Ayokong pag-usapan ‘yan because it's unfair, we will be sitting as an impeachment court. Pero sa totoo lang, mamaya, sabihin ko sayo kung bakit ko ayaw,” he said.
(I don’t want to talk about that because it’s unfair, we will be sitting as an impeachment court. But to tell you the truth, I will tell you the reason I don’t want to assume the position later.)
According to the law, should Duterte be ousted, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. can choose his new vice president from among the members of the Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives, he explained.
The nominee, once selected, will have to win over ⅔ of both legislative chambers.
All members aged 40 and above are eligible, which includes all the other 23 senators, he said.
Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had also picked her vice president, Teofisto Guingona Jr., following former President Joseph Estrada’s impeachment in 2001.
