“The Senate, sitting as an Impeachment Court, today voted on the appeal of the July 6 ruling that set the voting base for conviction at all 24 senators. I voted to grant the appeal, after carefully studying the Constitution and the legal submissions before the Court.

The Constitution gives the Senate the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment.

Kasama sa kapangyarihang ito ang pagpapasya kung paano isasagawa ang paglilitis, kabilang ang kung paano ilalapat ang sarili nitong mga patakaran at pasya kapag may ilan sa mga miyembro nito na hindi makalahok.

Today’s vote was an exercise of that responsibility.

The views of our amici curiae weighed significantly in my decision. Their presentations helped the Court consider not only the text of the Constitution but also its purpose, and the need for a process that is fair to all parties.

Malaki ang naging ambag ng kanilang paliwanag sa aking pag-unawa sa usaping ito.

Ang aking boto ay batay sa prinsipyo, hindi sa sinumang senador o sa nasasakdal.

The same standard applies to every senator in these proceedings, each of whom sits as an independent judge bound only by the Constitution and the evidence.

The constitutional requirement of two-thirds remains.

The question before the Court was which senators are counted in the base when some are unable to participate.

It does not determine the outcome of the trial, and the change applies equally to the votes needed for conviction and for acquittal. Every senator who is able to attend remains duty-bound to do so.

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Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS WIN GATCHALIAN