The present Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) was constituted under Section 17, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution to be the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns and qualification of members of the Senate of the Philippines. It is an independent, impartial and non-partisan tribunal composed of nine (9) members. Three (3) members are Justices of the Supreme Court designated by the Chief Justice. As envisioned by the framers of the Constitution, they serve to neutralize the partisanship that may arise from the political affiliation of the other six (6) members, who are Senators of the Philippines chosen on the basis of proportional representation from the political parties represented in the Senate. The Tribunal is chaired by the most senior Justice-Member.