3 ex-SC justices tell impeachment court: Conviction threshold not fixed at 16

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IMPEACHMENT COURT. Senators take their oath as they convene as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, on May 18, 2026.

Three retired Supreme Court justices argue that the conviction threshold for impeachment is not fixed at 16 votes, stating that the constitutional provision does not require counting senators who cannot participate. They emphasize that senators who are absent due to legal issues, health, or other impediments should not be included in the vote count, advocating for a fair representation of those who can actively participate in the trial. In contrast, retired justice Adolfo Azcuna maintains that all 24 senators should be counted in determining the threshold, arguing that a fixed supermajority is necessary to prevent impeachment from being misused for political purposes. This is AI-generated.