Second Petition Challenges Senate Impeachment Voting Threshold at Supreme Court

MANILA, Philippines — Another petition has been filed before the Supreme Court to nullify the Sept. 23, 2026 ruling by the Senate Impeachment Court amending the voting threshold ruling to convict Vice President Sara Duterte. In his 112-page petition, Atty. Ernesto Francisco Jr., requests that a Status Quo Ante Order be issued to halt the "The Senate, in its September 23, 2026 ruling, amended the voting threshold for the conviction of the Vice President from a simple majority to two-thirds," Francisco said in his petition. According to Francisco, the Senate Impeachment Court "acted with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction" when it amended the voting threshold. He argued that the "amendment of the voting threshold for conviction is contrary to the Constitution and existing laws." "The Senate Impeachment Court, in its decision, failed to consider the clear mandate of the Constitution and the laws of the land," he added. Francisco is asking the high court to issue a Status Quo Ante Order to halt the impeachment proceedings against Duterte. He also wants the SC to declare the Sept. 23, 2026 ruling of the Senate Impeachment Court as unconstitutional and void. "The amendment of the voting threshold for conviction is a clear violation of the constitutional rights of the Vice President," he said. This is the second petition filed before the SC challenging the voting threshold ruling of the Senate Impeachment Court. The first petition was filed by lawyer Lorenzo Gadon on Oct. 1, 2026. Gadon argued that the Senate Impeachment Court "gravely abused its discretion" when it amended the voting threshold. He also asked the SC to issue a Status Quo Ante Order to halt the impeachment proceedings against Duterte. Both petitions are still pending before the SC.