Impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol has warned that lowering the 16-vote threshold needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte would be “dangerous,” saying it would effectively require the tribunal to amend its rules in the middle of the trial.

“That is not allowed,” Tongol said.

Also on Sunday, Senate President Win Gatchalian dismissed speculation that senator-judges planned to reduce the threshold, as alleged by Sen. Migz Zubiri.

The Constitution requires two-thirds of the 24-member Senate, or 16 votes, to convict. Impeachment presiding officer Sen. Chiz Escudero also ruled at the start of the trial that 16 votes are needed to oust Duterte.

The issue arose amid prolonged absences from the impeachment proceedings.

Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta are detained over plunder charges, while Sen. Bato dela Rosa remains in hiding to evade an International Criminal Court warrant. Sen. Loren Legarda has been on medical leave since August.

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, earlier told the DAILY TRIBUNE that the impeachment court “cannot lower the threshold for conviction unless it expels a member or possibly declares him or her as resigned.”

Azcuna said votes of absent senators are automatically counted as abstentions. Duterte’s conviction would result in her removal from office and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.