Sara Duterte impeachment trial: Senate vote threshold sparks debate

A significant debate has emerged in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in the Philippine Senate regarding the interpretation of the vote threshold required for conviction. Senate impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol stated that at least 10 senators could overturn the current ruling that 16 votes are needed for conviction. Of the 24 senators, four are currently absent, and Senate President Francis Escudero, who is presiding over the impeachment court, will not participate in the vote. This leaves 19 senators eligible to vote on September 23. Tongol explained that under a simple majority vote principle, 10 senators would be sufficient to overturn the 16-vote threshold, stating, "The votes of the majority of the quorum present will be the basis. This is just like an ordinary action of the Senate." Currently, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta are detained over separate plunder charges, while Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is in hiding following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Senator Loren Legarda has also been abroad on extended medical leave for several weeks, missing the trial. However, Tongol added that there is a possibility of more than the expected 20 senator-judges being present on the voting day. He also noted that in the event of a tie among the senator-judges, the motion on the voting threshold would be considered "failed," and the presiding officer's ruling would stand. Vice President Duterte, however, stated that the threshold for conviction would be determined in accordance with the 1987 Constitution, suggesting there would be no room for change. Her brother, Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, strongly countered on Facebook, asserting that "Ten votes cannot override the Constitution." He emphasized that the Constitution requires "two-thirds of all the members of the Senate," which, with 24 senators, translates to 16 votes. At the start of the impeachment trial, Senate President Escudero had stated that under Article XI, Section 3, Paragraph 6 of the 1987 Constitution, no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the members of the Senate. A literal interpretation of this provision means at least 16 affirmative votes are required for conviction. To resolve this issue, Escudero has invited four amici curiae—retired Supreme Court Chief Justices Hilario Davide, Artemio Panganiban, and Reynato Puno, and former SC Justice Adolf Azcuna—to weigh in on the voting threshold on September 16. The oral arguments between the defense and prosecution panels are scheduled for September 23, after which the senator-judges are expected to cast their votes. Source: GMA News Philippines