THE SENATE, sitting as an impeachment court, will still need 16 votes to convict Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio, Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin T. Gatchalian said on Wednesday, amid questions over the chamber’s composition. Citing Article 11 of the 1987 Constitution, Mr. Gatchalian said in a statement that conviction requires the concurrence of two-thirds of all members, as reported by BusinessWorld.
Gatchalian made the clarification to address confusion over whether the impeachment court needs a two-thirds vote of all senators or just those present. He emphasized that the constitutional provision is clear, requiring 16 votes out of the 24-member Senate to secure a conviction, regardless of absences or recusals.
The statement comes as the Senate prepares for the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte, with political observers closely watching the proceedings. The constitutional threshold ensures that a conviction carries significant consensus among lawmakers.