The House prosecution team remains confident it can secure the minimum 16 senatorial votes required to convict Vice President Sara Duterte in her upcoming impeachment trial, dismissing concerns over the recent Senate leadership shakeup.
Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon, a member of the House prosecution panel, stated on Wednesday that the shifting political dynamics in the upper chamber will not derail the prosecution’s chances of obtaining a guilty verdict. He emphasized that the panel’s confidence rests solely on the weight of their case.
“I think it’s irrespective of the leadership naman… Tingin ko kaya yun based on the evidence that we will be presenting,” Ridon said during a television interview.
(I think it’s irrespective of the leadership… I think we can achieve that based on the evidence that we will be presenting.)
The lawmaker brushed aside apprehensions that the transition of power in the Senate would weaken their position, pointing out that the collective membership of the body remains intact.
“Hindi naman nagbago yung komposisyon. Kung may magbabago man, liderato lang,” he added.
(The composition did not change. If there is any change, it is only in the leadership.)
The leadership transition recently installed Senator Alan Peter Cayetano—a known ally of the Duterte family—as the new Senate President. This change coincided with the House of Representatives transmitting the formal articles of impeachment against the Vice President last week.
Despite Cayetano’s political ties, Ridon expressed absolute trust that the Senate impeachment court will handle the landmark proceedings impartially, particularly when resolving critical motions and evaluating the evidence presented by both sides.
“Ako naman, I have great faith in Senate President Alan that he will be fair on each and every motion that will be submitted for his consideration,” Ridon said.
(For my part, I have great faith in Senate President Alan that he will be fair on each and every motion that will be submitted for his consideration.)
Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, a two-thirds majority vote of all 24 members of the Senate—equivalent to at least 16 votes—is strictly required to convict an impeached official.