Senators junk Chiz’s ruling on fixed 16 votes to convict

MANILA, Philippines - Senators yesterday junked Sen. Francis Escudero's July 6 ruling as impeachment court presiding officer to fix at 16 the required votes needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte.

Thirteen senators - including one from the minority - voted to modify the numbers needed for conviction, while Escudero gave the lone negative vote. The remaining six members of the minority abstained and left the session hall.

In their vote, the senators maintained the two-thirds threshold, but excluded senators who are sick, in hiding or detained, from taking part on the day of verdict to acquit or convict Duterte.

A resounding "aye" rang through the plenary hall as the senators held their nominal voting by voice vote, after oral arguments on Day 29 of the trial yesterday.

"The ayes have it. The appeal is won," Escudero said after the voting.