SENATE Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday urged the Supreme Court to resolve as soon as possible questions surrounding the vote threshold for convicting an impeached official, saying continued uncertainty could add to the challenges gripping the country.
Cayetano’s call came after two petitions were filed challenging or seeking clarification on the required vote following the Senate’s decision to lower the two-thirds threshold from 16 votes to 14, based on the number of senators legally and factually capable of participating at the time of the vote.
“At this time, there’s an economic difficulty. Questions about the flood-control projects continue. It’s a disservice to our nation if there are uncertainties,” Cayetano told reporters.
“The earlier the Supreme Court decides, the better, because those numbers will apply to many other situations,” he added.
Cayetano said the issue could have implications beyond the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, and expand to questions involving the Senate’s quorum, treaty ratification, constitutional amendments and the disciplining of senators.
He said the uncertainty was particularly significant because impeachment proceedings have both legal and political considerations.
Cayetano acknowledged that while senators remain confident in the country’s legal system, the timing and pace of any Supreme Court action remain uncertain.
“We’re confident in our legal system. But no one knows when it will happen or how quickly it will move,” he said.
Cayetano also emphasized that the Senate minority bloc remained intact despite differences among its members that arose during the impeachment proceedings.
He said the seven minority senators continued to work together on legislation and other matters while making independent decisions when voting as members of the impeachment court.
“The seven of us in the minority continue to work together, and there is no animosity among us. There is no minority or majority when it comes to the impeachment court,” he said.
