Senate May Revisit Impeachment Voting Threshold Amid Shifting Composition

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that some senators are seeking to revisit the voting threshold for impeachment cases, citing changes in the composition of the Senate since the required vote was set. "There were some colleagues who want to revisit because at that time, the senators who are now absent were still there—one is detained and one is at large. I think that is the issue," Zubiri told reporters in a press conference on Thursday. When asked if there were proposals to lower the threshold, Zubiri answered, "Yes," noting that some senators have concerns about the threshold. However, when asked when it would be debated, he deferred to the presiding officer. "Best person to answer is PO (presiding officer)," he said. He also said he expects the issue could eventually be brought before the Supreme Court. "I'm sure someone will take it to the Supreme Court," he added, stressing that the matter should be debated publicly. Meanwhile, Zubiri defended the Senate’s decision to allow budget hearings to run alongside plenary sessions, saying the chamber would not be able to complete its workload if the proceedings were kept to the usual schedule. The Senate is currently juggling three major activities: the impeachment trial, the 2027 budget process and its legislative agenda. He said the Senate amended its rules to allow senators attending budget hearings during plenary hours to be recognized as present. The arrangement is intended to maximize the chamber’s working time and prevent delays in the approval of the national budget. He noted that the Senate is targeting completion of the budget deliberations by October so that plenary action can proceed in November and the country can avoid a reenacted budget. Zubiri said that without the simultaneous budget hearings and plenary work, the Senate could still have 12 departments left to tackle by October 23, based on Senator Joel Villanueva's estimate. "Pagod na pagod" Zubiri also acknowledged the strain of the Senate’s unusually heavy workload. "I’m very candid so I just tell them how I feel. I’m just being honest. It doesn’t matter kung pagod na pagod na ako. If we have to work 24/7, we will work." He said the remark reflected his candid assessment of the workload, noting that it is the first time the Senate has had to handle the impeachment proceedings, budget deliberations and legislative agenda simultaneously. He added that senators may not get their usual October break as they work to meet the demands of the impeachment case and the budget. —LDF, GMA News