Senate votes to lower conviction threshold in Duterte impeachment trial

MANILA – In a pivotal moment during Day 29 of hearings on September 23, the Senate impeachment court voted 13 to 1 to overturn Presiding Officer Francis Escudero's earlier ruling on the voting requirements for conviction in the case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The court's decision centers on how to interpret the two-thirds constitutional threshold required for conviction. Escudero had initially determined that 16 votes would be needed to convict the Vice President, but the majority of senator-judges voted to recalculate the threshold based only on those legally participating in the proceedings.

The change in calculation method could materially affect the outcome of the impeachment trial, as it lowers the absolute number of votes required for conviction. The Senate currently has 24 members, though not all are present for each session of the impeachment court.

The impeachment trial against Vice President Duterte centers on allegations including culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other administrative charges. The case has drawn significant public and political attention as it represents only the second impeachment trial of a sitting vice president in Philippine history.

The proceeding continues as the Senate examines evidence and testimonies related to the charges. Legal observers note that the procedural ruling could prove decisive in determining whether the two-thirds threshold is ultimately met for conviction.