Jamaine Punzalan

Senator-judges listen as Philippine Army Col. Magtanggol Panopio testifies on the 20th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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VP Sara Impeachment

Allison Co

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178841901044520260901-vp-sara-impeachment-day-20-MT8.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senator-judges listen as Philippine Army Col. Magtanggol Panopio testifies on the 20th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Senate may have to reopen discussion on the voting threshold in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.</p><p>Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri disclosed Thursday that some senators were considering lowering the threshold of 16 votes — a two thirds majority of the 24-member Senate — needed to convict the impeached vice president.</p><p>&quot;Some senators have questioned the threshold, it may come up sooner or later,&quot; Zubiri said in a press conference.</p><p>&quot;Ngayon kasi may mga nasa kulungan at may isang at-large,&quot; he said.</p><p>(Because now there are senators who are in jail and one is at large.)</p><p>Zubiri said the issue was raised in caucus as the whereabouts of Senator Bato dela Rosa remained uncertain, while Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta remained in detention.</p><p>Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian previously said the impeachment court will stick with the 16-vote threshold since the Constitution requires &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/10/gatchalian-16-votes-needed-for-conviction-at-impeachment-trial-1554">the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.</a>&quot; He made the statement in the middle of a leadership struggle at the Senate, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/3/what-is-the-quorum-of-12-that-broke-senate-standstill-1804">when a 12-person quorum</a>, elected him Senate president pro tempore. </p><p>Zubiri noted that &quot;we still had a complete slate&quot; when Gatchalian made that statement.</p><p>Zubiri said the matter would be subject to debate among senators and any change to the threshold could still be questioned before the Supreme Court.</p><p>“Someone will take it up to the Supreme Court to question this issue. But let’s see if we decide to move the threshold, that’s a debate now with the members of the Senate,” the majority floor leader added.</p><div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/sara-duterte-impeachment-trial">Impeachment Trial of Sara Duterte </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/9/3/sara-duterte-trial-may-continue-into-2027-impeachment-court-spox-says-1445">VP Duterte trial may continue into 2027 — Senate court spox </a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kx-zNF4_I3o?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tp54-pRwKKg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri disclosed Thursday that some senators are considering lowering the threshold of 16 votes — a two thirds majority of the 24-member Senate — needed to convict the impeached vice president.</p>

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri disclosed Thursday that some senators are considering lowering the threshold of 16 votes — a two thirds majority of the 24-member Senate — needed to convict the impeached vice president.

Zubiri: Debate on impeachment voting threshold 'may come up sooner or later'

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Zubiri: Debate on impeachment voting threshold 'may come up sooner or later'

Allison Co,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 03, 2026 02:28 PM PHT

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Updated September 03, 2026 03:06 PM PHT

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Juan Miguel Zubiri

Migz Zubiri

Impeachment

Sara Duterte

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