Mark Villar to remain with minority – Cayetano

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Mark Villar will remain with the minority bloc despite his recent vote to alter the conviction threshold denominator in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said yesterday.

Clarifying the dynamics within the chamber, Cayetano emphasized that political alignments do not dictate how senator-judges vote in the ongoing trial.

Villar recently broke ranks with his minority colleagues who decided to sit out Wednesday’s vote on the threshold.

“He’s staying with the minority,” Cayetano told reporters. “There is no minority-minority when it comes to the impeachment court. So, if there will be consultations, it would be more of gauging each other, rather than wondering how we will vote as one.”

Cayetano noted that while senators frequently share meals, discuss legislation and consult each other on legal nuances, they maintain their independence as judges.

Despite Villar’s differing vote, Cayetano gave assurance that the bloc remains unified and operational.

However, he lamented the ongoing absence of several members due to legal and medical issues.

“(The minority is) working. There is no animosity here in the minority. Of course, we long for the 11 to be complete, but then again, four of our colleagues are facing different challenges,” Cayetano said.

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