Cayetano: All senators should vow to reject VP nomination in case of Duterte conviction
MANILA — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said senators should follow Sen. Francis Escudero’s declaration that he would not accept a nomination for vice president in case Vice President Sara Duterte is convicted in her impeachment trial and removed from office.
Escudero, presiding officer of the Senate impeachment court, said he would reject any nomination due to conflict of interest. He also said that it is a personal decision.
“Tama po ito (This is correct)! All of us senator-judges should make this declaration,” Cayetano said.
He said on social media that members of the impeachment court should be politically neutral and should “have no incentive to convict except for evidence.”
Under the 1987 Constitution, the president may fill a vacant vice presidency by nominating a qualified member of Congress, subject to congressional confirmation.
The same constitution, however, makes senators judges in an impeachment trial.
Escudero pointed out the conflict of interest as senator-judges could benefit from a conviction.
“Sinabi ko na yan sa nagdaang panahon pa. Hindi ko tatanggapin sa simpleng rason, conflict of interest. Kami ang nagpasya, hindi yata tama yun,” he said.
(I have said this before. I will not accept it for the simple reason of conflict of interest. We will decide the case, so it doesn’t seem right.)
Escudero also stressed he has not yet made up his mind on his verdict as he fended off allegations of bias.
The defense is expected to start presenting its case when the court resumes trial in November.
Escudero, who is facing flood control scandal investigations, also said that those should be seen as separate from the impeachment trial and intramurals at the Senate.
The Senate minority has framed cases and investigations as a way for the administration to secure Duterte’s conviction.
“Magkahiwalay nga yun, ulitin ko, may mga may kaso na nasa mayoriya. May mga walang kaso na nasa minorya,” he said.
(Those are different matters. As I said, there are people facing cases who are in the majority. There are people in the minority who do not have cases.)
Escudero also fended off criticism that there are “one-sided judges” among his colleagues, saying he has repeatedly reminded senators that they should follow the law and the evidence.
“Pero hindi ko rin naman pwedeng busalan kasi at diktahan yung mga senador na ito lang pwede niyong tanong, bawal niyong itanong ito,” he said, adding he would rather err on the side of liberality.
(But i cannot gag them and dictate what senators can and cannot ask.)
He added he believes each senator-judge “makes an effort” to be fair and balanced during the proceedings. — RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News