Philippine Supreme Court Junks Petitions on Impeachment Vote Threshold as Sara Duterte Trial Reaches Day 32
The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte hit a key procedural milestone on October 1. The Manila Times led its October 1 edition with the Supreme Court's dismissal of petitions challenging the Senate impeachment court's decision on the voting threshold, with a court spokesperson saying the vote was unanimous. The ruling leaves the Senate's conviction-threshold decision intact and lets the trial proceed under its current rules.
The same day, the trial entered its 32nd day. ABS-CBN News Channel's October 1 roundup reported that the impeachment court cut short the first day of its marathon hearings to give the defense more time to prepare for testimony from the Anti-Money Laundering Council, that two Register of Deeds officials testified for the House prosecution, and that former senator Antonio Trillanes was dropped as a prosecution witness.
Sara Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, is accused of betraying public trust, amassing unexplained wealth, violating the constitution, and graft and bribery. Conviction would remove her from office and could bar her from public office for life, ending a possible 2028 presidential run; she denies all wrongdoing.
October 1 also brought household news: the presidential palace told the public there was no need to hoard water despite fears of a looming super El Nino, and the rainy season was expected to end in the first week of October. The political trial and the weather will be the Philippines' twin storylines this month.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：菲律宾最高法院大楼，马尼拉。摄影：National Historical Commission of the Philippines，Public domain，取自 Wikimedia Commons
