Gatchalian: Conviction threshold vote won't predict Duterte verdict

MANILA — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday distanced a procedural vote from the eventual verdict in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, saying the 13-1 decision to overturn the 16-vote conviction threshold provides no indication of how senator-judges will ultimately decide the case.

Gatchalian emphasized that votes on procedural matters differ fundamentally from votes determining guilt or innocence. "When it comes to the verdict, it's about the evidence," he said, suggesting that senators may base their final decision on the merits of the case rather than their positions on procedural questions.

The Senate voted this week to lower the conviction threshold, requiring a simple majority rather than the two-thirds supermajority previously needed to convict an impeached official. The lopsided vote raised questions about how senators might ultimately vote on Duterte's impeachment, though Gatchalian sought to dampen such speculation.

The Vice President faces impeachment charges centered on alleged verbal abuse of officials and questionable financial management. The trial is expected to proceed in coming weeks as the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, weighs the evidence and allegations presented by both the prosecution and defense.