Politics · Philippines Bureau
Squishy toys find unlikely home in Duterte impeachment proceedings
The viral squishy toy craze has infiltrated the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, with the Senate presiding officer seen regularly squeezing the stress-relief toys during proceedings. The practice has drawn attention as the high-profile trial continues to unfold.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has become an unexpected venue for the latest pop culture phenomenon, with Senate Presiding Officer Francis Escudero regularly handling squishy toys throughout the proceedings.
Escudero has been observed playing with the small, squeezable rubber toys since early September, with observers noting him fiddling with a yellow squishy on Oct. 5 immediately following a gavel strike. The practice has persisted as the trial has advanced, drawing notice from courtroom observers and commentators.
Squishies, collectible stress-relief toys that have surged in popularity across social media and among younger demographics, have become ubiquitous in Philippine culture in recent months. Their appearance in one of the nation's most significant political proceedings underscores the extent to which the trend has permeated various segments of society.
The toy handling has not disrupted proceedings, though the practice has become a notable detail in coverage of the high-profile trial. Escudero's use of the squishies has sparked discussion on social media, with observers remarking on the contrast between the serious nature of impeachment hearings and the lighthearted nature of the toys.