Poa: Mid-trial change in vote threshold to undermine due process, Constitution is clear

Defense counsel Michael Poa said the 16-vote threshold to convict Vice President Sara Duterte should stay, as there has been no change in the Senate Impeachment Court composition or circumstances to justify reopening the earlier ruling of Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero.

As the court tackles the issue on Wednesday, Sept 22, Poa further said lowering the threshold in the middle of the trial would raise due process concerns and undermine the constitutional safeguard of a supermajority vote.