Sara Duterte's team may appeal lower impeachment voting threshold to SC

The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte is contemplating an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the Senate impeachment court's decision to lower the voting threshold required for her conviction. Michael Poa, spokesperson for the defense panel, stated that he would first discuss the matter with Vice President Duterte. He acknowledged that while the defense participated in oral arguments to present their position on the voting threshold, the impeachment court's decision stands. "Of course, I won't deny that bringing the matter to the Supreme Court is a real possibility. As to when, we will have to discuss the matter with our client," Poa added. Senator-judges voted 13-1-6 to set the conviction threshold at two-thirds of those legally allowed to participate. This implies that Duterte could be convicted with fewer than 16 votes, as several senators are facing charges, in hiding, or on medical leave. When asked if they believed the Vice President was being treated unfairly, the defense refrained from making negative remarks about the impeachment court. "I don't want to say anything negative against the court. But for us, that was the decision made by each senator-judge, and we really have to respect that. But that doesn't mean that we don't have any legal remedies; one of which is taking it up to the Supreme Court," said Poa. Following the ruling, Duterte's defense team indicated that the Vice President would proceed with caution in the trial. Lead defense counsel Sheila Sison clarified that the Vice President is not evading accountability but has the right to pursue all legal remedies.