BY a vote of 13–6–1, the senator-judges of the Senate Impeachment Court have decided to put to a formal vote whether to keep or lower the 16‑vote threshold required to convict Vice President Sara Duterte.
The ruling sets the stage for a direct decision on the number of votes needed to find the Vice President guilty on the articles of impeachment filed against her, a procedural matter that has drawn significant attention as the trial advances.
The 16‑vote requirement has been the subject of debate among the senator‑judges and legal observers alike. Under the Senate’s existing rules, a two‑thirds majority — equivalent to 16 out of 24 senators — is necessary to convict an impeached official. However, some have argued that the threshold should be adjusted to reflect the actual number of senator‑judges present and able to participate, especially given reported absences and recusals during the proceedings.
The 13–6–1 outcome signals a clear majority in favor of allowing the full court to decide the threshold question directly. No timeline was immediately announced for when the actual vote on the threshold will take place, but the development marks a pivotal step in the process. The result of that vote will determine how many votes are required to convict or acquit, and could shape the final outcome of the impeachment trial as it moves toward conclusion.
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