In the Public Square: Impeachment math, etc.

Impeachment is an exercise in political justice—and it can cut both ways: as an instrument of political reform or a tool of political persecution. It needs to meet certain legal standards, but precisely because it is political, impeachment is, in the words of the late great constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ, a numbers game.

The impeachment math starts from really basic arithmetic: How many senators do you really need to convict? 

With the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte set to begin on July 6, the impeachment math becomes ever more important.

To make sense of the numbers, in this new episode of In the Public Square, Rappler columnist John Nery is joined by one of the living framers of the 1987 Constitution, who served as a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Adolf Azcuna.

Watch the episode on Wednesday, June 24, at 8 pm.-Rappler