Escudero Dismisses VP Speculations
ESCUDERO – Senator Escudero firmly shut down speculations about his potential vice-presidential bid, stating clearly that he is “not interested.”
Senate President Francis Escudero has firmly rejected any interest in assuming the position of Vice President should the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte result in her conviction. Addressing speculation, Escudero made it clear that he is not seeking the role and emphasized the constitutional process that determines the appointment of a new Vice President in case of a vacancy.
In an interview on The Philippine STAR’s online show, “Truth on the Line,” Escudero dismissed the idea that he was a frontrunner for the position, highlighting that any qualified member of Congress could be nominated.
“That is an unfair question because the entire Congress above the age of 40, and all of the senators, can be a choice of the President (for vice president),” he stated. “I am simply one of them. But if you ask me, I am not interested.”
Under Section 9, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, the President has the authority to nominate a new Vice President from among the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, with the nominee requiring confirmation through a majority vote of both chambers, voting separately.
Despite his position as Senate President placing him third in the line of succession, Escudero clarified that he would not automatically assume the vice presidency. He reiterated that the appointment lies entirely in the hands of the President, with the final decision dependent on congressional approval.
Escudero also stressed the importance of maintaining impartiality in the impeachment proceedings. As senator-judges in the trial, he believes it would be inappropriate for any participating senator to be considered for the vice presidency. “It would not be good to look at. It would be more prudent for those who voted to, if at all, remove the Vice President, to decline any such offer or nomination,” he remarked.
Additionally, he reassured the public that he would not succumb to external pressures to either expedite or delay the impeachment process. Addressing concerns that the Senate did not immediately convene the impeachment court after receiving the complaint on February 5, Escudero explained that proceedings could only commence while Congress was in session.
With Escudero’s commitment to neutrality, the impeachment trial is expected to proceed with due process, ensuring that constitutional guidelines are strictly followed without undue political influence.
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