MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team on Wednesday said raising the recent ruling modifying the two-thirds conviction threshold before the Supreme Court (SC) is a “real possibility.”
However, Defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said this would still depend on their discussions with Duterte.
READ: Senate impeach court reduces conviction threshold
“‘Yung pag-akyat sa Supreme Court is a real possibility. As to when, well, we will have to discuss the matter with our client,” said Poa.
(Going up to the Supreme Court is a real possibility. As to when, well, we will have to discuss the matter with our client.)
“…nakatakda namang mag-usap kami very soon (we are set to have a discussion very soon),” he added.
Poa also said that requesting a temporary restraining order or TRO from the Supreme Court was also “an option.”
“That’s definitely an option. But of course, we’ll have to see the pros and cons muna,” said Poa.
The lawyer then explained that the request for the TRO is unlikely to delay the proceedings, but admitted that it would still depend on their arguments before the high court.
The Senate impeachment court earlier voted to revise the 16-vote threshold needed to convict Duterte in her impeachment trial.
Under the newly-adopted rules, the constitutionally required two-thirds vote for conviction will be based only on senators who remain legally and factually capable of participating in the impeachment proceedings at the time of voting.
The computation will exclude senators who are detained, suspended or otherwise legally restrained from performing their functions; persons sought by authorities whose whereabouts are unknown; those suffering from a physical or medical incapacity; those beyond the coercive processes of the Senate; and others similarly situated. /mr