Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano cautioned on Friday, September 18, that altering the required voting threshold during the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte could endanger the case and potentially cause a mistrial.
Speaking during a social media livestream, Cayetano argued that the procedural rules established when the trial began must remain consistent throughout, opposing proposals to rethink the 16-vote requirement previously set by Senator and presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
“I don’t want to have a mistrial. Ayoko po na mabasura lahat ng trabaho na ginawa sa trial na ito. And fairness dictates na ano ang rules mo sa umpisa, yun ang rules mo sa huli,” Cayetano said.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on Wednesday, September 23, on whether to overturn Escudero’s earlier ruling requiring 16 votes to convict the Vice President.
To assist with the debate, the impeachment court consulted four former Supreme Court justices acting as amici curiae to offer expert perspectives on the controversial vote threshold.
While acknowledging the retired jurists’ arguments, Cayetano asserted that constitutional questions regarding voting requirements belong before the high court rather than being debated mid-proceeding.
“I honor their opinions, but sa Supreme Court na dapat yan eh. Kasi hindi pwedeng in the middle of the trial, dun natin pag-uusapan, iibahin natin yung rules,” he said.
The lawmaker emphasized that modifying rules midway threatens the integrity of the process and risks wasting the court’s prior efforts.
“We can make excuses, interpretations… but I will not participate pag ang idedebate natin kung tama ba yung mali,” he said.