Marcoleta says no furlough bid for impeachment threshold vote

MANILA, Philippines - Detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta vowed not not seek furlough from the Sandiganbayan to vote on a proposed change to the 16-vote threshold required for conviction in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.

At a press conference following the hearing of his plunder case on Monday, September 16, Marcoleta argued that the 16-vote threshold should not be subject to a vote because it is already in the Constitution.

"I will not move for a furlough just to vote for a threshold," Marcoleta said. He was with Mike Defensor, a former lawmaker and detainee, at the event.

"I don't think the threshold is a subject of votation. It's already in the Constitution," he added.

The lawmaker also expressed disappointment that his Senate colleagues did not take up his July 20 manifestation on his participation in the impeachment trial.