Former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said that 12 senators could validly elect Senate leadership posts, arguing that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada should be excluded from the voting base due to his detention in a plunder case.
He explained that the quorum should be based on 23 senators, not the full 24, citing Supreme Court doctrine and provisions of the plunder law on suspended officials.
Carpio added that under this interpretation, a majority would only require 12 votes, making recent Senate reorganizations legally valid.
He also said senators unable to physically or legally attend, including Estrada and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, should not be counted in determining majority or quorum.
His statements come amid ongoing disputes between Senate blocs over leadership control, which remain unresolved and could be elevated to the Supreme Court.
Source: PhilNews24 | June 9, 2026
