Defense, prosecution to present oral arguments on voting threshold

MANILA, Philippines — Exactly a week after the Senate impeachment court sought guidance from retired chief justices, the prosecution and defense teams on Wednesday will be presenting their arguments on the voting threshold required to convict Vice President Sara Duterte.

The oral arguments of the parties come after the Senate impeachment court reconsiders the baseline of the two-thirds vote requirement for the conviction or acquittal of Duterte amid three absent Senators facing legal battles.

Presenting the oral argument for the House prosecution panel is Rep. Leila de Lima who is among the endorsers of one of the impeachment complaints against Duterte when it was taken up at the House of Representatives earlier in the year.

READ: WATCH: Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Sept. 21, 2026

Meanwhile, the defense has yet to disclose who among its counsels will be presenting their case on the issue.

Defense deputy spokesperson and counsel Atty. Justin Gular said it is a part of their strategy to keep silent on which lawyer they are fielding.

The parties will be given 15 minutes each to discuss their oral arguments, before Senator-judges are given the opportunity to ask clarificatory questions to both camps.

Afterwards, the court is expected to divide the floor and vote on the threshold.

The court only needs a simple majority to overturn the 16 vote requirement to convict Duterte. /mr