HOUSE prosecutors are focused on proving the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte through evidence, not counting potential votes among senator-judges, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Thursday.
During a press briefing, Ridon was asked whether the prosecution would still aim to secure at least 16 votes for conviction despite the Senate impeachment court’s decision to abandon its earlier fixed 16-vote interpretation.
“We are not vote counters here. Kami po, ilalatag po namin ’yung ebidensya tungkol po dito sa Articles of Impeachment ng Vice President,” Ridon replied.
The impeachment court on Wednesday voted 13-1, with six senator-judges not participating, to overturn its earlier interpretation that the constitutional requirement of two-thirds of all Senate members automatically meant 16 votes.
Under the new ruling, the two-thirds requirement will be computed based on senators who, at the time of the verdict, remain legally and factually capable of participating in the proceedings.
Ridon said prosecutors would abide by the outcome under the threshold ultimately applicable when the senator-judges vote.
“Pero kung ano ho ’yung abutin pong boto, if this is sufficient to convict, then we will abide by what the votes will be,” he said.
While prosecutors would want their evidence to persuade as many senator-judges as possible, Ridon stressed that determining the verdict rests with the impeachment court.
“Pero siyempre, gusto po namin ’yung talagang biggest number of votes at that point,” Ridon said.
“So whether it’s 16 or lower, bahala na po ang mga senator-judges to make that determination,” he added.
Ridon said the prosecution’s responsibility is to present evidence supporting each impeachment charge.
“Basta po kami, we will deliver the evidence in each and every article,” he said.
The prosecution is currently presenting its Article II case involving allegations of unexplained wealth, including corporate and procurement records.
Another impeachment article involving allegations of bribery has yet to be presented.
The senator-judges will ultimately decide whether to convict or acquit Duterte after the presentation of evidence in the impeachment trial.
metrosundaily
