Manila, Sept. 23 -- House prosecutor Chel Diokno of Akbayan Party-list said on Wednesday a Supreme Court (SC) challenge over the impeachment voting threshold would become ripe only if the Senate convicts Vice President Sara Z. Duterte with fewer than 16 votes.

Diokno stated the position during questioning by Senator-Judge Alan Peter Cayetano, who asked whether the Senate Impeachment Court or the SC should settle the threshold dispute.

"Your Honor, I believe that the matter is not yet justiciable and cannot yet be brought to the Supreme Court," Diokno said.

The prosecutor said the issue remained hypothetical before a verdict because no one yet knew how many votes would be cast for conviction.

"If, for example, the votes come out to 16 ...