MANILA, Philippines — The legal team of Vice President Sara Duterte has expressed strong opposition to the Senate impeachment court’s decision to modify the voting base required for a conviction, warning that the move establishes a perilous precedent for the country’s constitutional framework.
Speaking in an interview, Duterte’s spokesperson, Atty. Paolo Panelo, asserted that the ruling extends far beyond affecting the Vice President, arguing that it compromises fundamental constitutional protections for all citizens.
“I don’t think it’s just unfavorable to the Vice President. I think it’s unfavorable to all Filipinos kasi binago nila yung Saligang Batas,” Panelo said.
The controversy stems from the Senate impeachment tribunal overturning its earlier stance, which stipulated a fixed threshold of 16 votes—representing a two-thirds majority of the full 24-member chamber—to secure a conviction. Under the newly adopted formula, the required two-thirds vote will instead be calculated based only on senators who are legally and factually capable of participating in the trial.
Panelo firmly countered this interpretation, maintaining that the charter leaves no room for adjustments based on attendance or participation capacity.
“Ang nasa batas po natin ay two-thirds of all members. Klaro po yun,” Panelo stressed.
He warned that allowing the voting threshold to be altered in this manner could carry severe long-term consequences for future constitutional actions, including potential efforts to alter the nation’s highest law.
“Sabi ko nga kanina, this can pave the way for more important things like, for example, amending the Constitution,” he explained.
Panelo pointed out that excluding non-participating members from the voting base creates vulnerabilities where lawmakers could be systematically pressured or sidelined through threats to manipulate voting outcomes.
He further raised concerns regarding administrative pressure on certain lawmakers, citing Senator Mark Villar’s abstention during a preliminary vote.
Panelo noted that the timing of legal disclosures involving Villar’s family raised serious questions.
“To me, it doesn’t look like it’s coincidental,” Panelo added.