ESCUDERO ONLY SMILED AT VP SARA’S 'BUDGET-FOR-CONVICTION' CLAIM, SPOX SAYS UPDATE: Senate impeachment court Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero merely smiled when asked about Vice President Sara Duterte's allegation that the proposed 2027 national budget could be used to pressure senator-judges or reward those who vote to convict her. “Ngumiti lang po siya sa akin pero narinig naman po niya yung mga pagtatanggol ng ating mga ibang senator judges,” court spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol said. Asked whether Escudero was concerned about the allegation, Tongol replied: “Wala po. Wala po. Tinanong ko po siya kung ano pong reaction natin doon. Tapos ngumiti lang po siya sa akin.” | via Hannah Ty, https://t.co/9R0Mcay5im