Escudero to refuse VP nomination should Sara Duterte be removed from office

MANILA, Philippines — Should Vice President Sara Duterte be removed from office, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said that he would refuse any nominations for him to assume the vice presidency, as he cited conflict of interest.

During an episode of his podcast aired on Sunday, one of the podcast hosts asked Escudero if he would accept any offer for him to become vice president if Duterte is convicted following her impeachment trial. Escudero said that no one has made any offer to him yet.

“Hindi ko tatanggapin sa simpleng rason, conflict of interest. Kami ’yung nagpasya eh. Hindi yata tama ’yun,” Escudero, who serves as the presiding officer of the impeachment trial, answered.

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(I will not accept due to a simple reason: conflict of interest. We, the senator-judges, are the ones who will decide. I don’t think it’s right.

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“But to be fair, wala akong tatanggihan dahil hindi naman ako inaalok. Ang kapal naman ng mukha ko kung sabihin kong ah, hindi ko tatanggapin, walang nag-aalok ah,” he added.

(But to be fair, I will not refuse anything now because I’m not being offered anything. I would have been thick-skinned if I said that I will not accept anything while there are no offers.)

READ: Senator, congressman may be appointed if VP post becomes vacant – Comelec

Escudero pointed out that under the 1987 Constitution, the president may choose between a senator or a member of the House of Representatives to take over the vice presidency should the incumbent vice president be removed from office.

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Escudero then cited an instance when former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo nominated former Senator Teofisto Guingona Jr. as the vice president when former President Joseph Estrada was ousted due to heavy allegations of corruption following the second People Power Revolution in Edsa.

Arroyo eventually assumed the presidency as she was the Vice President when Estrada was removed from office. Escudero noted that Arroyo chose Guingona because of a constructive resignation and not because of impeachment.

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READ: Duterte trial: Presiding officer’s decision can be overturned – Escudero

Escudero then emphasized that any rejection of any proposal handed to him is his personal decision and is not meant to influence any of his fellow senators.

“Pero alukin man, hindi ko tatanggapin pero sana huwag nang dumating doon para wala na akong tanggihan din dahil hindi tama para sa akin. Klaro sa akin ’yun, hindi tama at hindi dapat,” he stressed.

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(But if I would be offered anything, I would not accept but I hope we don’t reach that point so I will not have to refuse because it is not right for me. That is clear to me. It is not right.) /cb