Escudero reminds impeach parties to practice civility, professionalism

MANILA, Philippines — Presiding officer and Senator-judge Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday reminded all parties before the Senate impeachment court to observe civility and professionalism as tensions continued to rise in the proceedings, including those arising from “rantings or tantrums inside or outside the courtroom.”

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Oct. 5, 2026

Escudero made the pronouncement right at the beginning of the 33rd day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial in which he acknowledged how emotions were now running high at the current stage of the hearings.

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In his opening statement, Escudero called on all those involved in the proceedings not to lose heart in performing their duties, urging them not to stoop to retaliation and only disregard any outbursts, remarks or expressions of animosity.

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“We will be focused on our job at hand, and that is to try and decide this impeachment case based on the evidence with justice and with fairness. We shall not be distracted or detracted by the rantings or tantrums of anyone inside or outside this courtroom,” said Escudero.

“Because at the end of the day it’s not about me, it’s not about you, it’s not about any of us here. Rather, it is about the country, our people, accountability, justice and fairness,” he added.

Escudero also reminded both parties before the court, particularly lawyers, of Canon II Section II of the Philippines’ Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability or CPRA which covers dignified conduct.

“The justice system cannot function objectively, when the professionals charged with administering it cannot even be polite to one another,” said Escudero, quoting Sandra Day O’Connor, who served as the first female associate justice of the US Supreme Court.

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“…our duty is not to prevail over one another but to assist this court in the fair and orderly administration of justice,” he added.

Escudero also addressed non-lawyers, this time citing the words of US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy: “Freedom may be born in protest, but it survives in civility.”

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This, he said, covers not just counsel to the parties, but also witnesses and putative witnesses, public officials, commentators and observers alike.

While Escudero did not specify what particular instances of “rantings or tantrums” he was referring to, on Friday, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV lashed out against Escudero for not issuing a subpoena for him — being the only witness listed by the prosecution in its manifestation for Article II of the Articles of Impeachment who did not get an order.

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According to Trillanes, he personally would have loved to testify before the impeachment court, but felt that he was not welcome as the presiding officer did not release a subpoena for him. /jpv