Escudero defends senators' rights in Duterte impeachment

Senate President Francis Escudero defended senator-judges who filed motions in the impeachment court against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying there were no rules barring such actions.

Escudero addressed criticisms of Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Bato dela Rosa for filing motions that some perceived as favoring Duterte, with Cayetano moving to return the articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives and Dela Rosa filing a motion to dismiss the complaint.

Eighteen senators voted on Tuesday to remand the articles of impeachment back to the House until it can certify they do not violate the Constitution, while Escudero questioned why actions seen as favorable toward Duterte were scrutinized more than those against her.

Escudero emphasized that senator-judges have the right to file motions and there are no rules prohibiting such moves in the impeachment court proceedings.

A legal expert described the Senate's decision to remand the case back to the House as 'alarming', raising concerns about the current status of the impeachment trial.