Escudero maintains: 16 votes needed to convict Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who was elected to serve as the presiding officer of the impeachment court in Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial, maintained that conviction will still require at least 16 votes from senator-judges.

Escudero made the pronouncement during his opening statement on the first day of Duterte’s impeachment trial where he tackled the thresholds that will guide the conduct of the proceedings and rulings.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte

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Among the thresholds determined is the number of votes needed in convicting Duterte as three senators are currently unable to partake in the trial, specifically Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is currently in hiding amid an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court; as well as Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta, who are currently facing plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan.

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According to Escudero, the 1987 Constitution already provides that no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the members of the Senate, or at least 16 of 24 elected senators.

He cited the case of Bayan v. Zamora, which concerned the Senate’s compliance with the two-thirds vote required to concur in a treaty.

“The charter provides that the Senate shall be composed of 24 senators, without a tinge of doubt, two-thirds of the figure or not less than 16 members is an unquestionable compliance with the requisite number of votes mentioned in Section 21 of Article 7,” said Escudero.

“It behooves, therefore, all of us, to observe the same fidelity to the Constitution, in this trial, which affects not only the mere ratification of a treaty, but more so affects the substantial rights of the respondent, as well as the sovereign will of the people as expressed in the overwhelming mandate given to her,” he added.

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Escudero, however, assured his colleagues that those who disagree with his decision may still bring it to the Supreme Court to seek judicial relief.

Duterte’s impeachment trial is expected to last 92 days, which can extend into early 2027.

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If convicted, Duterte faces possible removal from office and perpetual disqualification from holding any public office. /apl

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