Two-thirds in the light of eternity

Musings…

Some senator-judges in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte are wont to wax biblical before they stress their points or in order to lend profundity to their positions and questions. During prayer time before the proceedings begin, the senator-judge whose turn it is to lead reveals somewhat the stirrings in her/his heart, bares hopes and fears, and solemnly vouchsafes the Almighty, the God of many names, for clarity of mind so that the truth may be laid bare and justice may be reached in the end. How salutary it all appears to be.

But after the presiding senator-judge bangs the gavel for the proceedings to begin, it is all systems go. Senator-judges, counsels for the prosecution and defense, witnesses, and all other personnel in the impeachment court are individually on their own, so to speak, to present evidence, to listen and separate the grains from the chaff, to record and to ensure order. But most of all, on the part of the judges and the viewing and listening public out there, to absorb, internalize, and assess the facts, figures, information, and the demeanor of those who speak, present evidence, cross-examine, defend, disclose, and deny, etc.

In yesterday’s headlines, the Supreme Court junked (“ibinasura,” in TV lingo) three petitions that sought to invalidate the impeachment-judges’ decision to lower the number of votes needed to convict the VP. The Supreme Court dismissed the petitions for their prematurity and lack of legal standing. This meant that the impeachment court’s decision to lower from 16 to 14 (2/3 of 20, not of 24) stands. Only 20 senator-judges are “legally and functionally” present. Two are in detention without bail while facing plunder charges, one is at large and hiding to evade the arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, and one has been abroad and on medical leave for two months now.

So, 2/3 of 20 is 13.333, rounded up to 14, not rounded down to 13, which would fall below 2/3.

My two cents: next time, if there would be a next time, the Constitution should nail it at 2/3 plus one. So, too, with groups that use unwieldy fractions.

At the 2025 conclave, where United States-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope, who would take on the name Leo XIV, the threshold was also 2/3 of 133 voting cardinals, or 88.66, rounded up to 89, but votes for him reportedly exceeded 100, as per leaked information, despite strict confidentiality. The Sistine Chapel’s walls have ears and cracks. And yes, in papal conclaves, voting is done several times until the threshold is reached.

As I said last week, the public are judges, too, in their own right. Long after the senator-judges will have handed down their verdict—to acquit or to convict the VP—the public will have made their judgment, too, not only of the VP but of the voting senator-judges as well. Who listened intently and voted according to the evidence and who looked the other way and voted according to their political affiliation?

While writing this piece, my eyes are on the computer monitor, my thoughts making their way to my fingers and to the keyboard while my right ear is listening to Day 32 of the impeachment proceedings playing on TV.

Fourteen is now the threshold number to convict for this impeachment case. Whatever the result, the fraction 2/3 will haunt us in our dreams, roaring, howling, like the wind in a lost empty city. In the light of eternity, it is only a fraction of a grain on the everlasting shores, but for people so wounded here and now, it could be a curse and a blessing.

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Today, the Philippine Daily Inquirer will offer a mass for its founding chair Eugenia “Eggie” Apostol and former editor and sportswriter Ricardo “Recah” Trinidad. Apostol died on Sept. 13, 2026, and would have been 101 years old three days ago on Sept. 29. Trinidad also wrote “30” on Sept. 13 at age 83. Both persons we dearly love.

“Salinawit ni Pete Lacaba: A Tribute” for poet, scriptwriter, translator, editor and book author Lacaba will be held on Oct. 10, 2026, 5 p.m. at My Brother’s Mustache, Hive Hotel, on 68 Scout Tuazon, Quezon City.

Salinawit refers to hit songs in English translated (salin means to translate, awit means song) into Filipino by Lacaba himself. Through the event, Lacaba’s work and legacy will continue to be relevant and promoted through artists and supporters.

Participating artists include Nathan Abella, Rey Abella, Joey Ayala, Bayang Barrios, Ferdie Borja, Pat Castillo, Cooky Chua, Waki Ignacio, Leah Navarro, Chikoy Pura, Joel Saracho, and Mitch Valdes. For reservations and inquiries, please visit My Brother’s Mustache on Facebook. Reserve before tickets (P1,000 to P1,500) run out.

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