Manila: Senator-judge Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson on Tuesday emphasized the significance of the Senate impeachment court's upcoming session, which will include hearing the perspectives of four former Supreme Court justices. This session is viewed as pivotal for senator-judges in the ongoing trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson highlighted that the insights from the former justices could illuminate key constitutional issues, particularly concerning the interpretation of the two-thirds vote requirement for conviction. A pressing question is whether this threshold should be based on all 24 senators or only those actively participating in the proceedings.

The court is scheduled to hear from retired Chief Justices Hilario Davide Jr., Artemio Panganiban, Reynato Puno, and retired Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna. Notably, Davide and Azcuna were part of the 1986 Constitutional Commission responsible for drafting the 1987 Constitution.

Lacson remarked that having the opportunity to hear from three ex-Chief Justices and one former associate justice, two of whom contributed to the creation of the 1987 Constitution, will be invaluable. The amici curiae, or friends of the court, have been invited as the court prepares to address Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo's motion for reconsideration regarding the 16-vote threshold for conviction.

Lacson urged his fellow senator-judges to pay close attention to the former justices' words, given that the current trial presents a unique situation involving members who may be detained, abroad, or in hiding. He questioned the practicality of continuing the trial with only 15 senator-judges if achieving the required 16 votes seems unattainable.

Under the Constitution, a conviction in an impeachment trial necessitates the concurrence of two-thirds of all Senate members.