Politics · Philippines Bureau
Impeachment prosecutor argues conviction threshold flexible, not fixed at 16
A House prosecutor argued on the 29th day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial that the number of votes required to convict her is not predetermined. Rep. Chel Diokno of the Akbayan party-list told the Senate that the voting threshold could vary based on circumstances.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA – House prosecutors have challenged the notion that a fixed vote count is required to convict Vice President Sara Duterte in her ongoing impeachment trial, arguing instead that the threshold may fluctuate depending on case-specific factors.
On Day 29 of the proceedings, Rep. Chel Diokno presented oral arguments contending that the number of votes needed for conviction is "not fixed at 16," a figure that has been cited in discussions surrounding the trial's procedural requirements.
Diokno's position suggests prosecutors view the conviction threshold as flexible and subject to interpretation based on circumstances that may emerge during the trial. The statement comes as the impeachment case progresses through the Senate, where 24 members hold voting power.
The vice president faces impeachment charges brought by the House of Representatives. The trial continues to draw scrutiny from lawmakers and the public regarding its procedural rules and the specific requirements for a conviction verdict.