Camille Naredo

The Supreme Court building in Manila. April 21, 2014.

The Supreme Court building in Manila. April 21, 2014. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News.

Article (news)

Supreme Court

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Senate Minority Group, led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, urged the Supreme Court to still rule on their petition questioning the validity of the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/3/senate-plenary-session-majority-minority-1501">June 3, 2026 election of a new set of Senate leaders</a> because of its possible consequences on the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte.In a manifestation filed before the high court, the minority senators reiterated their prayer to declare the June 3 actions of the group of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian null and void. They also reiterated the &quot;erroneous&quot; reading of the Gatchalian bloc of Avelino vs. Cuenco which justified the initial designation of Gatchalian as acting Senate President.&quot;If the constitutionality of the June 3, 2026 rump session remains unresolved, the validity of each of these acts will likewise remain under a cloud of constitutional uncertainty,&quot; Cayetano said.The minority also stressed that the issue is not moot nor academic because the ruling of the Supreme Court is important in determining the voting threshold for Duterte’s impeachment trial. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/19/cayetano-petition-questioning-june-3-session-moot-and-academic-ex-sc-justice-1324">READ: Cayetano petition questioning June 3 session &#x27;moot and academic&#x27;—Ex-SC justice</a></div>At the core of the issue is the constitutional denominator &quot;all the members&quot; of the Senate voting in the impeachment trial, whether senators not physically present should be included in voting rules.The Constitution mandates that at least 2/3 &quot;of all the members of the Senate&quot;, which has a total of 24 seats, is needed to convict an accused. House prosecutors are however arguing that the number of votes needed to convict the Vice President could be lowered because of the absence of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ronald Dela Rosa.https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/29/house-prosecution-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-conviction-threshold-1149The minority argued in the petition that while Estrada is in detention, he has neither vacated his office nor ceased to be a member of the Senate. &quot;Whether a detained senator may nevertheless be excluded (as respondents did during the rump session) from the constitutional denominator of &quot;all its Members&quot; under Section 16, Article VI of the Constitution is a fundamental and substantial constitutional question that remains unresolved,&quot; Cayetano said. Cayetano also noted the announcement of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla that Senator Rodante Marcoleta may soon be arrested.&quot;Respectfully, if these issues are not resolved at the earliest opportunity (e.g., before the impeachment trial commences on July 6, 2026), the impact on the institutional integrity and practical workings of the Senate of the Philippines, both as the upper chamber of the Congress,&quot; Cayetano said.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/30/senate-very-prepared-for-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-gatchalian-1445">READ: Senate &#x27;very prepared&#x27; for Sara Duterte impeachment trial on July 6 – Gatchalian</a></div>

The Senate Minority Group, led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, urged the Supreme Court to still rule on their petition questioning the validity of the June 3, 2026 election of a new set of Senate leaders because of its possible consequences on the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The Senate Minority Group, led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, urged the Supreme Court to still rule on their petition questioning the validity of the June 3, 2026 election of a new set of Senate leaders because of its possible consequences on the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte.

SC asked to rule on Senate leadership row, which may affect VP impeachment trial

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

SC asked to rule on Senate leadership row, which may affect VP impeachment trial

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 30, 2026 05:59 PM PHT

Read More:

Supreme Court

VP Sara Duterte

Duterte impeachment

Philippine Senate

Senate leadership

Alan Peter Cayetano

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.