Manila:The Senate impeachment court has moved forward with a vote on the conviction threshold in Vice President Sara Duterte's trial after rejecting Senator-Judge Alan Peter Cayetano's appeal against revisiting the issue.

According to Philippines News Agency, thirteen senator-judges opposed Cayetano's appeal, six supported it, and Senator-Judge Mark Villar abstained. The appeal's rejection allows the court to proceed with Senator-Judge Erwin Tulfo's challenge to the interpretation that 16 votes are needed to convict Duterte.

Cayetano had questioned the court's authority to reopen the threshold issue, arguing it had been settled by presiding officer Francis 'Chiz' Escudero's earlier ruling. Despite this, Escudero maintained the court's right to reconsider the interpretation, stating that the same authority applied to both supporting and appealing the interpretation of the phrase 'all the Members of the Senate.'

Those voting against Cayetano included Escudero, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, and Senators Vicente Sotto III, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and others. Supporting the appeal were Senators Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, and Christopher Lawrence 'Bong' Go.

Escudero noted that the issue could be further contested through judicial relief, emphasizing that it presents a justiciable controversy.