Politics · Philippines Bureau
Some senators explore lowering conviction threshold in Duterte impeachment trial
With senator-judges absent from Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment proceedings, some members of the Senate are considering revising the voting requirement needed to convict or acquit the vice president. The adjustment would address the practical challenges posed by incomplete participation in the trial.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA – Several senators are exploring the possibility of lowering the conviction threshold in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial due to absences among senator-judges, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri disclosed Thursday.
The ongoing trial requires 16 affirmative votes to convict or acquit the vice president. However, with an incomplete roster of senators participating since the trial began on July 6, some lawmakers are examining whether adjusting this threshold would be necessary to ensure proceedings can conclude.
Zubiri did not specify which senators were considering the revision or provide details on what alternative threshold might be proposed. The issue underscores the practical complications that have emerged as the impeachment case against the vice president continues.
The Senate has historically maintained strict voting requirements for impeachment proceedings as a safeguard ensuring broad consensus before removing or clearing a senior official. Any change to the threshold would require approval from the Senate body and could face significant procedural and political considerations.