Senator-judges at the Senate impeachment court in July 2026. Photo by Joseph B. Vidal/Senate Social Media Unit
MANILA — Senate impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero on Monday reminded everyone to remain civil, saying he understood that patience was already wearing thin and tensions were running high after months of proceedings.
Escudero said the reminder was directed at the parties involved in the trial, as well as the public.
"The Chair understands that patience is wearing thin, tensions are running high and tempers are beginning to fray, but we must not lose sight of our common purpose: our duty is not to prevail over one another, but to assist this court in the fair and orderly administration of justice," he said early into Monday's trial.
Escudero did not cite any specific incident that prompted the reminder.
Addressing the lawyers involved in the trial, Escudero said the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability "requires every lawyer to deal with fellow members of the Bar with courtesy, civility, fairness and candor."
He said the "responsibility" of "civility" also "belongs to everyone touched by these proceedings," including witnesses, public officials, commentators and observers.
Escudero said the court would remain "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 nor detracted by the rantings or tantrums of anyone inside or outside this courtroom because at the end of the day, it's not about me, it's not about you, it's not about anyone of us here. Rather, it is about the country, our people, accountability, justice and fairness," he said.
The court is currently hearing allegations that Vice President Sara Duterte amassed unexplained wealth.
It earlier took up accusations that she made grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family and misused confidential funds.