Lowering impeachment conviction threshold risks constitutional implications: Duterte counsel

MANILA – A constitutional concern has emerged in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment proceedings, with her defense team cautioning against any modification to the vote threshold needed for conviction. Michael Poa, counsel for the vice president, raised the alarm Wednesday over potential ramifications of lowering the current requirement. Poa maintained that the 16-vote threshold for conviction must be preserved to prevent unintended constitutional complications. The warning underscores the technical complexity surrounding the impeachment trial, which hinges on the Senate's interpretation of procedural rules. The conviction threshold represents a constitutional safeguard that extends beyond the immediate case, according to Poa's position. Legal experts have noted that changes to impeachment procedures could set precedents affecting future constitutional applications. The Senate has continued deliberations on the impeachment case against the vice president, with procedural questions remaining central to the trial's progression.