Eastern Visayas legal experts propose lower impeachment vote threshold

TACLOBAN CITY — A group of law professors, former law deans, and current and former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) presidents in Eastern Visayas have asked the Senate impeachment court to set the voting threshold in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at 14, instead of 16. In a Sept. 17 letter to the Senate impeachment court, the legal experts from Eastern Visayas proposed the lower threshold, citing their interpretation of the Constitution. They argue that Article XI, Section 4 of the Constitution, which states that "two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate shall concur in a resolution of impeachment," can be interpreted to mean two-thirds of the Senators present, not necessarily two-thirds of the total membership. With 24 senators currently in office, a two-thirds majority of the total membership would require 16 votes for impeachment conviction. However, the Eastern Visayas legal professionals contend that historical precedents and the spirit of the Constitution suggest that a two-thirds majority of those present and voting should suffice. They believe this interpretation would lead to a more representative and fair outcome in impeachment proceedings, especially in cases where not all senators may be able to attend. The debate over the impeachment vote threshold highlights broader questions about the interpretation and application of impeachment procedures in the Philippines. Given the significant political implications of impeaching a Vice President, clarity and fairness in the process are paramount.