SC dismisses challenges to impeachment court voting threshold

MANILA — The Supreme Court's decision to dismiss legal challenges to the Senate Impeachment Court's voting threshold has been welcomed by impeachment prosecutors, signaling their determination to continue proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

House prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon on Wednesday praised the high court's ruling, which rejected separate petitions questioning the voting requirements needed to convict in the impeachment trial. The dismissal clears the way for the impeachment court to proceed without further legal impediments on this procedural matter.

Ridon stated that the prosecution would maintain its momentum in advancing the impeachment case. The ruling removes one hurdle that had threatened to delay or derail proceedings, allowing the Senate Impeachment Court to focus on the substantive issues at hand.

The voting threshold has been a contentious issue throughout the impeachment process, with various parties challenging the rules governing how many senators must vote to convict. With the Supreme Court's decision now final, the impeachment court can move forward with greater clarity on the procedural framework governing the trial.