Palace backs Escudero as Duterte impeachment trial presiding officer

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday backed Sen. Francis Escudero’s election as presiding officer of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte amid a Supreme Court (SC) petition challenging the same. Israelito Torreon and eight other lawyers, who are known to be allied with Duterte, filed a petition asking the high tribunal to issue a