Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero expressed hope that the Supreme Court will resolve the issue of the required number of votes to convict a respondent in an impeachment trial before the Senate issues a final verdict in the ongoing trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Current basis remains 16 votes
According to Escudero, the impeachment court currently adheres to the 16-vote threshold, or two-thirds of the 24-member Senate, consistent with the Constitution and the Supreme Court ruling in Bayan v. Zamora. He explained that even though only 21 senators are currently active—with Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta detained and Senator Ronald Bato dela Rosa still in hiding—the two-thirds vote is still based on the total 24 Senate seats.
No agreement among senators
Escudero emphasized that he has not secured any agreement from other senators on the issue; rather, he merely presented his legal interpretation based on existing law. He said it would be better for the Supreme Court to resolve the matter if a petition is filed while the impeachment trial is ongoing, to avoid further conflict once the impeachment court issues its decision.
Goal to end legal disputes
Escudero added that the impeachment process aims to settle the issues facing the country and not open new legal battles after the trial.
