Former Chief Justice Urges Absent Senators to Recuse from Duterte Trial

MANILA — Former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban has argued that senator-judges absent from impeachment trial proceedings should remove themselves from the case, citing principles of judicial ethics and fairness.

Speaking during discussions on Wednesday regarding the voting requirements for Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, Panganiban said he would personally step aside if placed in such a position. The former jurist emphasized that judges who have not engaged meaningfully in trial proceedings lack the foundation necessary to render informed verdicts.

Panganiban's statement addresses growing concerns about participation levels among lawmakers serving as judges in the high-profile impeachment case. The call for recusal comes as the Senate grapples with procedural questions, including whether the threshold for conviction should be adjusted from the current constitutional requirement.

The impeachment trial of Duterte has drawn significant public attention, with procedural and ethical questions dominating legislative discussions. Panganiban's intervention underscores ongoing debates about the proper conduct of impeachment proceedings and the responsibilities of senators serving in judicial capacity.

The Senate continues deliberations on how to proceed with the trial while addressing questions of due process and judicial propriety.