WATCH: Robin asks colleagues to uphold Constitution amid vote questions

MANILA, Philippines – “Ginawa ito ng Konstitusyon para galangin, bigyan ng boses, at patibayin ang karapatan ng bawat Pilipino… Uphold the Constitution.”(The Constitution was created to respect, give voice to, and strengthen the rights of every Filipino… Uphold the Constitution.)

This was how Senator-judge Robin Padilla reminded his fellow senator-judges to uphold the Constitution as questions arose over the impeachment court’s voting threshold amid the absence of several members.

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READ: LIVE UPDATES: Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Sept. 8, 2026

Currently, Senator Loren Legarda is on sick leave, while Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is in hiding. Two other senator-judges—Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada—are detained in connection with plunder cases.

The Constitution requires 16 votes, or two-thirds of all 24 senators, to convict an impeached official./dp