The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte began on July 6, 2026, with Senate President Chiz Escudero setting the conviction threshold at 16 votes.

This decision was based on a Supreme Court ruling from 2000 (Bayan v Zamora) that upheld the constitutionality of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the US.

The ruling emphasized that two-thirds of all Senate members (24 senators) must concur for treaty ratification, even if some senators are disqualified due to legal issues.Escudero argued that the 16-vote threshold meets this requirement, as it represents two-thirds of the 24-member Senate.

However, debates arose over whether suspended or disqualified senators should be counted, with some legal experts and prosecutors suggesting lowering the threshold to 14 votes.Despite these discussions, Escudero’s decision was not contested during the trial, and the Senate proceeded under the 16-vote rule.The case highlights constitutional interpretations and the challenges of conducting an impeachment trial amid political complexities.