‘Prosecution focused on solid impeach case, not threshold’

MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel is focused on presenting evidence strong enough to meet whatever conviction threshold will be adopted in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Prosecution counsel Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said they “never engaged” in vote counting and have yet to reach an official position amid proposals to review the 16-vote threshold for Duterte’s conviction.

“Our focus is whether it’s 16 votes or lower, we want to make sure that we get that number by laying down strong evidence,” he said.

The Constitution requires the concurrence of two-thirds of all Senate members for conviction. Presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero had interpreted this as 16 votes out of the 24 senators.

However, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri recently said some senators want the threshold reviewed because some members could not attend the proceedings.

Tolosa said it’s not yet time for the prosecution to announce its position on the matter but added that the Senate could revisit its earlier “interim” ruling.

“My personal opinion is that it’s an interlocutory order which the senators can revisit,” he said, adding that interested parties could seek a Supreme Court review.

Tolosa said the prosecution’s work will continue while the senators try to address the issue.

“We want to establish an airtight case so whatever the interpretation is, we will meet the number,” he said.