Senator Cayetano flags ‘rule-bending’ in impeachment proceedings, Senate leadership vote

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday warned against what he described as inconsistent application of Senate rules in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, following statements from Senator Win Gatchalian affirming a 16-vote threshold for conviction while defending his election as Senate President Pro Tempore with 12 votes.

Cayetano, speaking in a Facebook livestream on June 12, 2026, said he initially agreed with Gatchalian’s position that a two-thirds vote—equivalent to 16 of the 24 senators—is required to convict an impeachable official.

“Instinct ko sana purihin si Senator Win Gatchalian n’ung sinabi niyang 16 talaga y’ung kailangan para ma-convict ang impeachable officer,” Cayetano said.

On Wednesday, Gatchalian reiterated that the Constitution clearly requires two-thirds of all Senate members to convict, stressing that the Senate’s fixed membership of 24 means the threshold will always be 16 votes regardless of attendance.

However, Cayetano pointed out what he sees as inconsistency in the application of that principle, noting that Gatchalian’s bloc previously used a different standard when he was elected Senate President Pro Tempore with only 12 votes.

Rule II of the Senate Rules provides that Senate officers must be elected by a majority vote of all members. Using the same 24-member baseline cited by Gatchalian in impeachment cases, Cayetano said the required majority would be 13 votes, not 12 out of 22 participating senators at the time.

“Sinabi din nila [dati] paulit-ulit na kung wala kayong 13, hindi n’yo pwedeng palitan y’ung officers – the head of OSAA, the Senate Secretary, Senate President Pro Tempore, and the Senate President. Pero gumawa sila ng formula na pwede na ang 12,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano said the differing interpretations raise concerns about consistency and trust, particularly on whether the same 16-vote standard will be upheld when the Senate begins the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte in July.

“Are we going to really have an impartial trial, or aayusin at luto na? Are we going to tell [people] the truth that dapat 16 to convict, or babawasan ba ng anim na senador para maging 12 na lang?” he said.

He stressed that the impeachment proceedings should strictly follow the Constitution and Senate rules, warning against any adjustments that could be seen as politically motivated.

Cayetano added that the broader issue is ensuring transparency and independence within the Senate as it handles impeachment and other institutional responsibilities, including investigations and leadership matters.

“We’re fighting for truth – na lumabas ang buong katotohanan, maging sa impeachment ‘yan, Blue Ribbon Committee, sa leadership sa Senado,” he said.

“We’re fighting na maging independent ang Senado at hindi utus-utusan lang ng Malacañang. We’re fighting na mawala ang corruption at poverty sa ating bansa,” he added.

-Paraluman News