By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte said Friday that the number of votes required to convict her in the Senate impeachment trial should be determined according to the Constitution, amid renewed debate over the threshold.
Duterte made the statement in an ambush interview after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 postponed her arraignment.
“’Yung threshold naman, nadesisyunan na ’yun sa unang-una pa lang na susundin ang Konstitusyon,” Duterte said.
She questioned why the issue was being revisited, suggesting that renewed discussions could indicate an effort to alter the existing interpretation.
“So ibig sabihin, ngayon na nagbago ’yung usapan, ibig sabihin ay babaguhin nila. Bakit pa ba natin pag-uusapan ’yun kung hindi naman babaguhin, ’di ba?” she added.
The dispute centers on the 16-vote requirement being applied in the Senate impeachment proceedings to convict Duterte.
Senator Erwin Tulfo earlier raised questions about how the threshold could be met if senators do not consistently attend the proceedings. He later clarified that he was seeking clarification rather than advocating a reduction in the required number of votes.
Senators JV Ejercito and Raffy Tulfo have likewise said they would prefer the Supreme Court to settle the constitutional question.
The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to hear arguments from constitutional experts as it examines the issue.
Among those tapped to provide legal opinions are retired Supreme Court Chief Justices Artemio Panganiban and Reynato Puno, as well as retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolf Azcuna.
Retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. will participate by submitting a legal memorandum instead of appearing before the impeachment court in person.
Davide previously served as presiding officer of the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada.
The Senate impeachment court has sought the views of the retired justices as it considers the constitutional question surrounding the vote required to convict Duterte.
ia/xf
