Constitution framer criticizes senators over impeachment vote threshold

Christian Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, has sharply criticized Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Camille Villar for objecting to the proposal to lower the number of votes needed to convict the Vice President in an impeachment trial. Monsod stated that their views challenging the Senate impeachment court's majority ruling are incorrect. Cayetano and Villar were among the six senators who boycotted the vote to modify the original threshold, which required 16 out of 24 senators for conviction. The motion, which would require 14 out of 20 senators for conviction, passed with 13 votes in favor, while Senator Francis Escudero, the presiding officer, voted against it. The Senate, originally composed of 24 members, is currently down to 20 due to the absence of detained senators and those in hiding. Cayetano attempted to block the proposal, arguing that lowering the number of senators qualified to vote for conviction or acquittal could violate the constitutional provision stating, "No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the members of the Senate" in an impeachment trial. Monsod, however, dismissed this, saying, "He's wrong." Monsod asserted that the Senate can continue the impeachment trial despite plans by some senators to boycott, adding, "As long as there is a quorum, the Senate can continue. If they plan on doing that (boycott), it's for headlines only. They talk like they know everything, especially Cayetano." Monsod also dismissed Villar's opinion seeking respect for her colleagues who are currently detained, stating, "She does not understand the law." He noted the differing views between Camille Villar and her brother, Senator Mark Villar, who voted to adjust the threshold, remarking, "I don't know whether they are playing the political game." Monsod pointed out the absence of detained Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta, both facing plunder and graft charges, and Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is in hiding while facing arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC), reducing the Senate's current membership to 20. Regarding Senator Loren Legarda, who is on prolonged medical leave, Monsod commented, "We will see whether she should be included in the denominator or not... because she participated in the deliberations before she left for that leave." Recalling the creation of the 1987 Constitution, Monsod explained that the voting threshold in impeachment trials was changed from three-fourths to two-thirds. He also believed that the Supreme Court "should not interfere in the definition of the powers" of the Senate, which creates its own rules. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian stated that the 13 votes to lower the conviction threshold were not indicative of the verdict in the Vice President's impeachment trial. Gatchalian clarified that the verdict would be based on the evidence, testimonies, and the presentation of cases by the prosecution and defense, adding, "Nothing is certain." House prosecutors vowed to do their best in persuading senators to convict the Vice President based on the airtight evidence they will present, regardless of the final voting threshold. In the Philippines, impeachment trials are highly sensitive political matters, and debates over constitutional interpretation could influence future political developments.