Acting Senate President and Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian confirmed that 16 votes from the Senate are needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte in the upcoming impeachment trial.
According to Gatchalian, Article XI, Section 3(6) of the 1987 Constitution states that no official can be convicted in impeachment proceedings without the approval of two-thirds of all Senate members. “Article XI, Section 3(6) of the 1987 Constitution states unequivocally that no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate,” Gatchalian said.
He explained that since the Senate’s membership is fixed at 24, the conviction threshold remains 16 votes, regardless of how many senators attend the trial, which bloc controls the chamber, or who presides over the impeachment court. “With the Senate’s membership fixed at 24, the conviction threshold is 16 votes, and it will remain 16 votes regardless of how many senators attend the trial, which bloc controls the chamber, or who presides over the impeachment court,” he added.
Currently, Gatchalian’s bloc consists of 12 senators, while Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s bloc has 10 senators, not including Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
Meanwhile, the Senate impeachment court, under Gatchalian’s leadership, has set the pre-trial conference for June 18. The Duterte camp and the House prosecution panel are required to submit their respective pre-trial briefs before June 15. The trial proper is scheduled to begin on July 6, 2026.
Gatchalian also hinted that a lawyer-senator could play a significant role in conducting the impeachment proceedings. Among the lawyers in his bloc are Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Francis “Chiz” Escudero. However, under current Senate rules, the Senate President must preside over all impeachment trials, except when the President of the Philippines is on trial. As Acting Senate President, Gatchalian asserted that he will lead the hearing of the impeachment case against the Vice President.
