Chile's Senate will vote on November 10 on the constitutional accusation against Judge Antonio Ulloa for his ties to lawyer Luis Hermosilla's influence network. Approval needs 26 votes, but absences due to election campaigns and potential abstentions could derail the measure. Deputy Daniel Manouchehri warned of a possible ploy to avoid quorum.
The constitutional accusation against Judge Antonio Ulloa of Santiago's Court of Appeals was approved by the Chamber of Deputies on October 29 with 141 votes in favor, two abstentions, and one rejection. On Tuesday, during the Senate's plenary session, notice was given of the approval, and the libel vote was scheduled for Monday, November 10, interrupting the territorial work recess week, as per Article 48 of the Organic Constitutional Law of Congress.
To declare Ulloa guilty, 26 votes are needed in the Upper House. However, the situation breeds uncertainty: several senators may be absent due to the final stretch of the parliamentary campaign or travel difficulties to Valparaíso. Deputy Daniel Manouchehri (PS), who led the libel presentation, warned in an X post: “Ojo: en el Senado la jugada para salvar al juez Antonio Ulloa es no dar quórum. La acusación se vota el 10 de noviembre. Nadie en campaña va a votar en contra… pero sí pueden “enfermarse””. He added: “A diferencia de la Cámara, aquí se requieren 26 votos: si faltan, gana la impunidad. Ulloa tiene contactos en el Senado y la red de Hermosilla va a operar. Es un deber que todos los senadores se presenten y voten de frente, si no, que respondan ante Chile”.
Doubts focus on the UDI bench, where some may abstain, similar to Deputy Sergio Bobadilla in the Chamber. In the previous trial against former Supreme Court Minister Ángela Vivanco, linked to the same network, senators Francisco Chahuán (RN), Paulina Núñez (RN), and Loreto Carvajal (PPD) did not vote. Carvajal stated: “mi rol como senadora es pronunciarme una vez que conozca los antecedentes”. Chahuán is considering recusing himself due to family ties to the Judiciary, while Núñez confirmed she will attend and vote.
Additionally, chats between Hermosilla and Ulloa mention Rafael Prohens (RN) and Yasna Provoste (DC) for prior voting managements. Prohens prefers not to comment to avoid recusal. Provoste replied: “No me hago cargo de las falsedades de estas personas. No me asiste causal de inhabilidad alguna, pues no tengo ni he tenido vínculos con los involucrados”, referring to a letter sent to Ciper denying Ulloa's influences.