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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Impeachment 2026: Gatchalian affirms 16 votes still needed to convict VP Sara Duterte

Impeachment 2026: Gatchalian affirms 16 votes still needed to convict VP Sara Duterte

Published Jun 10, 2026 02:19 pm

At A Glance

  • Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the 16 votes, or two-thirds vote, is a constitutional mandate and unaffected by any internal Senate leadership arrangement or dispute.


Acting Senate President and Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian affirmed on Wednesday, June 10 that 16 votes are still needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte in the impeachment trial.

Gatchalian said the 16 votes, or two-thirds vote, is a constitutional mandate and unaffected by any internal Senate leadership arrangement or dispute.

“Article XI, Section 3(6) of the 1987 Constitution states unequivocally that no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate,” Gatchalian said.

“With the Senate’s membership fixed at 24, the conviction threshold is 16 votes, and it will remain 16 votes regardless of how many senators attend the trial, which bloc controls the chamber, or who presides over the impeachment court,” he stressed.

Gatchalian made the clarification in light of the Senate leadership deadlock, as the Gatchalian-led bloc still consists of 12 senators, while the bloc led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano now only consists of 10 senators.

Earlier, Gatchalian said he will be the presiding officer in the impeachment trial of the vice president, but Cayetano refused to concede saying he is the legitimate Senate president and therefore, will also be the presiding officer in the upcoming impeachment trial.

But Gatchalian has maintained the legality of the formation of the new Senate majority bloc, which is also now recognized officially by Malacañang and the House of Representatives.

The Senate impeachment court, under Gatchalian’s leadership, has set the pre-trial conference to June 18, with both the Duterte camp and the House prosecution panel directed to submit their pre-trial briefs by June 15 , and the trial proper is scheduled to begin on July 6, 2026. 

“The process is on track. The rules are clear. And the constitutional threshold — 16 votes, will be faithfully observed,” Gatchalian said.

“Malinaw ang Saligang Batas. Ang ating tungkulin ay sundin ang Konstitusyon, at iyon ang aming gagawin (The Constitution is clear. Our duty is to follow the Constitution, and that is what we will do),” he said.

Related Tags

Sherwin Gatchalian VP Sara Duterte Duterte impeachment case 2026 Senate Senate impeachment court
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