The Senate Impeachment Court will invite amici curiae, or friends of the court, to discuss  the voting threshold for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The decision by Senate Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero came after Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo reopened the matter of the voting threshold.

According to Sen. Escudero, there is no trial on September 16 to give way for their meeting with the legal experts they plan to invite.

“Amici curiae, the plural form of the friends of the court. They are found in Rule 10 on the internal rules of the Supreme Court,” he said

“The court can invite amicus curiae or amici curiae to advise the court and guide the court,” he added

Sen. Escudero also stated that amici curiae could potentially assist the senator-judges when formulating their decision on the issue.

“Well, sana sa pamamagitan ng kanilang kaalaman at lawak ng kaalaman kaugnay sa batas, sa saligang batas, at gayundin, karanasan nila sa mga legal na bagay ay mabigyan tayo ng kanilang kaisipan kaugnay sa isyu nito,” he said

In line with this, the Presiding Officer stated that he has already consulted the prosecution and defense regarding who will serve as amici curiae.

However, their names cannot be announced yet as they have not been formally spoken to.

With reports from Jed Nerecina