FALSE: Sotto wishes to expel presiding officer Escudero

Sebastian Janapin

A circulating quote card on Facebook, particularly on SARA DUTERTE SUPPORTERS Facebook page, reveals Senator Tito Sotto disclosing a plan to replace Senator Chiz Escudero, the presiding officer in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

CLAIM

A circulating quote card showed a statement about the former Senate President’s plans to replace the current impeachment presiding officer because ‘he doesn’t know what he is doing’.

RATING: FALSE

CONCLUSION

Senator Sotto did not make any official statements, interviews, or reports that showed his plans to expel Escudero as an impeachment presiding officer.

THE FACTS

• Amidst the continuous flood control ghost projects controversy last September 2025, then-Senate President Chiz Escudero was ousted and replaced by then-Senate President Tito Sotto, with 15 senators voting to install Sotto on the presidency.
• After the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte for the second time last May 2026, the Senate presidency seat experienced another shakeup. Sotto was ousted in favor of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, an ally of the Duterte clan, garnering 13 votes from his colleagues to hold the presidency.
• Following a series of turmoil from both the Majority and Minority leaders, Senator Win Gatchalian was officially elected as the new Senate President last June 17, replacing Cayetano. Sotto was elected Senate president pro tempore, while Escudero joined the Majority bloc.
• Escudero was elected as the presiding officer following the start of Vice President Duterte’s impeachment trial last July 6, allowing him to preside over the proceedings.

THE BOTTOMLINE

There are no confirmed statements, plans, or reports that says Sotto will expel Escudero as an impeachment presiding officer for Vice President Duterte’s impeachment trial.