THE House prosecution team on Friday welcomed the Senate impeachment court’s planned consultation with retired Supreme Court justices on the voting threshold in Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial, while maintaining that 16 votes is needed to secure a conviction.
“Ang stand ng prosecution is 16 as we speak,” Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers, the team’s adviser and spokesperson, told a press conference.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, also a prosecution spokesperson, said the position backs Preding Officer Se. Francis Escudero’s stand.
“That is also in compliance with the earlier ruling of the presiding officer,” Adiong said.
The court has secured the participation of retired Chief Justices Artemio Panganiban and Reynato Puno, and retired Associate Justice Adolf Azcuna, for a September 16 appearance.
Retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. will submit a legal memorandum instead of appearing in person, according to court spokesperson Regie Tongol.
Barbers said expert advice would help the senator-judges address differing views about the threshold, including questions arising from senators’ nonparticipation in the proceedings.
Adiong pointed to the former justices’ experience and to Davide and Azcuna’s involvement in drafting the Constitution.
He said their guidance could help the Senate examine the meaning and intent of the constitutional two-thirds vote requirement.
“Well, definitely that would be used as a guidance for the impeachment court,” he said.
Asked who would represent the prosecution and what arguments it would present, Barbers said preparations remained under discussion.
“Pinag-uusapan pa ito ng prosecution team kung sino at paano at ano ang gagawin,” he said.
Adiong said the team has not settled on an official position on whether the existing threshold should be lowered or retained through the pending review.
Barbers then clarified that the prosecution’s current position remained 16, consistent with the presiding officer’s ruling.
The spokesperson, however, clarified: “We do not engage in vote counting.”
“We will continue providing the court with the necessary evidence and testimonies of the witnesses we will be presenting,” Barbers said.
The expert consultation will precede the oral arguments on Septmber 23, when the prosecution and defense are each allotted 15 minutes to present their positions.
The senator-judges will then vote to resolve the threshold appeal.
metrosundaily
