Impeachment court reconsiders how many votes could decide Sara Duterte’s fate

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 09, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook

PHILIPPINES – The Senate impeachment court is revisiting the two thirds voting requirement for conviction, putting the spotlight once again on how many senators would need to vote against Vice President Sara Duterte for her removal from office.

The issue comes as the impeachment trial moves closer to the stage where senators will ultimately decide Duterte’s political fate. A conviction could remove her from the vice presidency and affect her plans for the 2028 elections.

The debate over the voting rule adds another layer to an already closely watched trial, where the prosecution has presented allegations involving confidential funds, unexplained wealth and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

For the impeachment court, however, the question is not simply about numbers. It is about the rule that will determine how those numbers translate into a verdict.

As senators prepare for the eventual decision, attention is now turning not only to the evidence presented in the trial, but also to the threshold that could ultimately decide Duterte’s political future.