Rep.Leila de Lima, leading the House impeachment prosecution against Vice President Sara Duterte, stated that the legal team is still deliberating whether to challenge the Senate's decision to require 16 votes for conviction.

De Lima emphasized that the issue of the voting threshold is premature for judicial review, noting that the trial is still in its early stages and key factors like senator participation remain uncertain.

She argued that the matter is not yet ripe for adjudication as there is no controversy, and the focus should remain on building a strong case rather than debating procedural thresholds.

De Lima also clarified that senators unable to participate in the vote are not necessarily voting to acquit, stressing the importance of determining their involvement first.

House prosecutor Gerville Luistro added that the option to appeal to the Supreme Court is open to all parties, though the prosecution team has not yet formalized its position.

Legal spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa reiterated that the panel's priority is presenting an airtight case, regardless of how the voting threshold is interpreted.The ongoing impeachment trial highlights tensions over procedural rules and the legal strategies of both sides.