Marcoleta Hints at Skipping Sara Duterte Impeachment Vote

Detained Senator-judge Rodante Marcoleta has indicated he may no longer participate in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, citing potential constitutional violations in the proceedings. In a statement, Marcoleta said he disagreed from the outset with Senator-judge Francis Escudero being chosen as the presiding officer, arguing it was contrary to law. "I no longer see it fit to participate in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, including the deliberations and voting, if the Impeachment Court takes a path that violates the Constitution," Marcoleta stated. He specifically questioned the Senate's attempt to apply its internal rules in determining the voting threshold, when the Constitution itself provides for the requirement. Escudero had originally ruled that 16 votes would be needed to convict Duterte, but four senators have since been detained, gone into hiding, or been absent from the trial. "If the Impeachment Court decides to set a voting threshold that is contrary to the clear words and meaning of the Constitution, and continues the trial under a presiding officer whose appointment is questionable, these two violations would seriously undermine the legitimacy and integrity of the impeachment trial," Marcoleta warned. Marcoleta further cast doubt on any decision the impeachment court might reach, given what he described as these questionable circumstances. The senator is currently detained at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory, facing a P75-million plunder charge over alleged undeclared campaign contributions he received in connection with his 2025 senatorial bid. Marcoleta has pleaded not guilty to the charge and has refused to enter a plea to the plunder charges filed against him. Source: GMA News Philippines