Acting Senate President Win Gatchalian clarified that convicting Vice President Sara Duterte in her upcoming impeachment trial will strictly require 16 votes, adhering to the mandates of the 1987 Constitution.
Gatchalian emphasized that this two-thirds threshold is a fixed constitutional requirement that remains unaffected by any internal leadership dynamics or disputes within the upper chamber.
He cited Article XI, Section 3(6) of the Constitution, which explicitly states that no individual can be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all Senate members.
“The process is on track. The rules are clear and the constitutional threshold — 16 votes, will be faithfully observed. Malinaw ang Saligang Batas. Ang ating tungkulin ay sundin ang Konstitusyon, at iyon ang aming gagawin,” he stressed.
The lawmaker further explained that because the Senate maintains a fixed membership of 24 senators, the required number for conviction cannot fluctuate.
“the conviction threshold is 16 votes, and it will remain 16 votes regardless of how many senators attend the trial, which bloc controls the chamber, or who presides over the impeachment court.”
Preparations for the high-profile proceedings are currently in progress. The Senate has scheduled a pre-trial conference for June 18, while both the prosecution panel from the House of Representatives and Duterte’s defense team must submit their respective pre-trial briefs by June 15.
The formal impeachment trial is scheduled to begin on July 6.