Sara Duterte impeachment trial: Article II on 'unexplained wealth' takes center stage

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate impeachment court this week heard sharply divided views on the number of votes needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte, while prosecutors continued building their Article II case on alleged unexplained wealth. Three retired chief justices told the court that the two-thirds threshold need not be fixed at 16 votes, as the number of senators present during the trial could affect the required majority. This development comes as prosecutors are intensifying their efforts to establish their case under Article II, which accuses Duterte of amassing unexplained wealth. The impeachment proceedings against the Vice President have been closely watched, with implications for the country's political stability and the strength of its democratic institutions. Past impeachment trials in the Philippines have often been contentious, highlighting the deep political divisions within the nation. The outcome of this trial could significantly impact the political future of Vice President Duterte and the broader political landscape of the Philippines.