Sara Duterte: Impeachment conviction threshold already set in Constitution

Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday said the voting threshold for conviction in impeachment proceedings against her has already been set in the Constitution, dismissing the need for further discussion on the matter. "The threshold was already decided from the very beginning, that the Constitution will be followed," Duterte said in an ambush interview, answering questions from reporters after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 deferred her arraignment. She questioned why the issue was being discussed if it was not going to be changed. "So that means, now the conversation has changed, it means they will change it. Why are we even talking about it if it’s not going to be changed, right?" she added. Senator Erwin Tulfo had earlier questioned how the 16-vote threshold for conviction could be reached if not all senators consistently attend the impeachment proceedings. Senators JV Ejercito and Raffy Tulfo also said they would prefer for the Supreme Court to resolve the matter. The Senate impeachment court is set to hold a hearing with amici curiae on September 23 to consult constitutional experts on the threshold requirement. Erwin Tulfo clarified that he was not seeking to lower the threshold but wanted clarification on the matter. The Senate impeachment court on Thursday released the names of the legal experts who will weigh in on the ruling on the 16-vote threshold to convict Duterte in her impeachment trial. According to the court's spokesperson, retired SC Chief Justice Hilario Davide secured participation by submitting a legal memorandum instead of a physical appearance. Davide served as the presiding officer during the impeachment trial of former president Joseph Estrada.