Vice President Sara Duterte arrives at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, September 5, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA (UPDATED) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed petitions seeking clarification on the lower threshold of votes needed to find Vice President Sara Duterte guilty in her impeachment trial.
The court said it did that “on procedural grounds, including lack of standing and prematurity."
The court has yet to upload a copy of its full decision.
The petitions for certiorari were filed last week by lawyers Vic Rodriguez and Ernesto Francisco as well as Berteni Causing.
Senators had voted 13-1, with six abstaining, that the constitutionally required two-thirds guilty verdict by "all members of the Senate" refers only to those "capable of participating".
READ: Impeachment court lowers conviction threshold in Sara Duterte trial
At least four senators are now absent from the impeachment proceedings.
Duterte's spokesperson Paolo Panelo earlier said the impeachment court's ruling was an attempt at "changing the constitution".
"Their aim is to manufacture a conviction. They cannot get 16, so they want to lower (it) to convict VP Sara," he said.
'Lokohan lang': Sara Duterte spokesperson questions fairness of Senate voting threshold ruling
Bicol Saro Party-List Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the House prosecution panel, welcomed the dismissal of the petition, which he called a "waste of paper."
He said prosecutors believe deciding on the voting threshold is within the power of the Senate impeachment court.
"At tingin ko dapat po talaga na pabayaang matapos ‘yung kabuan po ng proseso hanggang pinakadulo whether to convict or to acquit the vice president," he also said.
(I am of the view that the proceedings should reach a resolution, whether to convict or acquit the vice president.)
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on May 11 on allegations of graft, corruption, bribery and an alleged assassination plot against one-time ally President Ferdinand Marcos.
Should the Senate find her guilty, she will be stripped of the vice presidency and permanently barred from elected office.
Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta are currently detained on plunder charges, while Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa is hiding while sought on an International Criminal Court warrant.
Sen. Loren Legarda is seeking medical treatment overseas.