Philippine Senate lowers threshold to oust VP Duterte
MANILA: The Philippine Senate approved on Wednesday a lower threshold of votes needed to find Vice President Sara Duterte guilty at her impeachment trial, potentially making it easier to execute her ouster.
The Philippine Senate recently voted to lower the threshold of votes needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte during her impeachment trial, potentially making it easier to remove her from office. Following a 13-1 vote, with six Duterte allies abstaining, the Senate determined that the constitutional two-thirds guilty verdict only applies to those capable of participating.
At least four senators loyal to Duterte, including two currently in jail, are absent from the proceedings. Presiding Judge Francis Escudero explained that this decision will serve as the controlling ruling moving forward, though the chair disagreed. Duterte's legal team can still appeal the lower threshold to the Supreme Court. The House of Representatives had impeached Duterte on May 11 for graft, corruption, bribery, and an alleged plot to assassinate former ally President Ferdinand Marcos.
If the Senate finds her guilty, Duterte will lose her vice presidency and face disqualification from future elections.
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