00:00The impeachment court ruling that bars absentee senators from voting in Vice President Sara Duterte's trial
00:06gives the prosecution a more feasible path to securing her conviction.
00:09But the prosecution believes the challenge remains the same.
00:12It never gets easier.
00:14The prosecution's work is to take the evidence of the house.
00:19In a way, the defense's work is easier because they just want to clean the house.
00:37The new decision overturns presiding Officer Chief Escudero's July 6 ruling, which kept the conviction threshold at 16 votes.
00:45Under the latest ruling, the impeachment court won't include in the baseline number those who are detained, suspended, or legally
00:51restrained from voting.
00:52But the prosecution points out that a reduced voting denominator also benefits the defense,
00:57because it will also lower the acquittal threshold.
01:00It is a two-way consequence for both the defense and the prosecution.
