House prosecutors focus on evidence, not conviction votes

The House prosecution panel said last week it remains focused on presenting evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, insisting that proving the Articles of Impeachment—not counting votes—is its top priority.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Senate, House prosecution legal spokesperson Atty. Jay Tolosa downplayed discussions on the 16-vote conviction threshold after Presiding Officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero confirmed that two-thirds, or 16 senator-judges, are needed to convict the Vice President.

“Our stand on this has been consistent from the very start. We don’t engage in vote counting,” Tolosa said.

Instead, he said the prosecution is concentrating on building what he described as an airtight case supported by overwhelming evidence.

“Our focus is to establish an airtight case backed by overwhelming evidence so that, at the end of the day, no matter how this two-thirds threshold will be interpreted, we’ll be able to secure that necessary vote,” he added.

Tolosa acknowledged that the prosecution panel is still discussing possible legal options regarding the voting threshold but stressed that no decision has been made.

“Our priority right now is focused on the trial and continuing to prove our case by presenting evidence,” he said.

Meanwhile, House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong clarified that the prosecution has no intention of asking the impeachment court to revisit or reinterpret the required number of votes for conviction.

He said the prosecution never indicated in its pre-trial brief that it would seek a formal request to adjust the threshold.

“The House Prosecution Panel will not request or make any official request before the impeachment court to readjust the threshold,” Alonto Adiong said.

Tolosa added that while legal remedies may be available, the panel is not considering them at this stage, emphasizing that its strategy remains centered on presenting witnesses, substantiating the charges with evidence, and allowing the impeachment court to decide the case based on the record.