Impeachment Court to resolve Duterte trial voting threshold

Impeachment Court to resolve Duterte trial voting threshold The Senate impeachment court will resolve the issue surrounding the 16-vote conviction threshold in the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. This after Senator-Judge Erwin Tulfo warned that counting senators who cannot participate could result in an “acquittal by default.” Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero treated Tulfo’s manifestation as an appeal and a motion for reconsideration of the Chair’s earlier ruling. That ruling stated that under the 1987 Constitution, at least 16 senators, or two-thirds of all 24 Senate members, are needed to convict Duterte. Escudero said the court would seek the views of amici curiae, or friends of the court. The court would also allow both the prosecution and defense to present oral arguments before the senator-judges decide on the issue. The court is set to hear the amici curiae on September 16. No trial proceedings will take place that day. Oral arguments from both parties are scheduled for September 23. On the same day, the senator-judges will vote on the issue.