Metro Manila, Philippines — The Senate Impeachment Court will hear on Wednesday, Sept. 23, arguments on whether the 16-vote threshold for convicting Vice President Sara Duterte should remain in place.
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero previously ruled that 16 affirmative votes, or two-thirds of the 24-member Senate, are needed for conviction. Senator-Judge Erwin Tulfo sought an appeal of the ruling.
The court received last week the positions of three retired chiefs justice – Artemio Panganiban, Reynato Puno and Hilario Davide, who submitted a legal memorandum – and retired Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna on the matter in their capacity as amici curiae or friends of the court.
Three of the four legal experts said the threshold should be based on senator-judges who are legally and physically able to participate.
House prosecutor Rep. Leila de Lima will present the prosecution’s position while the defense has opted not to identify its representative in advance.
Each side will have 15 minutes to present arguments, after which the senator-judges may ask questions and debate on the issue before voting on Tulfo’s motion for reconsideration.
Court spokesperson Regie Tongol said the vote could be deferred if senator-judges need more time to consider additional arguments raised by their colleagues.
The proceedings will determine whether Escudero’s 16-vote requirement will remain as a conviction threshold.
