Robin Padilla: Impeachment threshold clear – Constitution says ‘ALL’

September 25, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Sen. Robin Padilla on Friday maintained that the Constitution is clear that all members of the Senate should be counted in determining the voting threshold for conviction in an impeachment case.

Padilla made the statement during a chance interview at the Department of Justice where he appeared for the start of a preliminary investigation into an obstruction of justice complaint filed against him.

Asked whether the minority bloc had plans to bring the disputed impeachment voting threshold before the Supreme Court, Padilla said no discussions had been held yet.

“Wala pa po kaming napag-usapan,” he said.

Asked whether he favored the original 16-vote requirement or the lower threshold of 14 votes, Padilla said he was standing by what is written in the Constitution.

“Hindi po. Ang pinaninindigan natin ay ang Constitution. Malinaw po ’yon, ‘All,’” Padilla said.

The Senate impeachment court earlier adopted an interpretation that only senators who are legally and factually capable of participating in the proceedings should be counted in determining the two-thirds threshold for conviction.

The interpretation has been challenged before the SC with petitions asking the high court to settle the constitutional issue.#