Metro Manila, Philippines – Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. said the House of Representatives will reach the one-third vote to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte as a number of lawmakers still dare to tackle the case even after her presidential bid that may effectively serve as a loyalty check for 2028.
Abante, however, admitted he only has talked with some House members, but said he is confident with the impeachment complaint he endorsed.
“Hindi naman siguro matatakot ang karamihan ng mga congressman sa kanyang pag-declare ng presidency kasi ang pinag-uusapan sa impeachment complaint hindi naman ‘yong 2028, pero ‘yong 2026… ‘yong kanyang posisyon ngayon,” he said in a forum on Saturday, Feb. 21.
[Translation: Most of the lawmakers may not be worried about her declaration to run for the presidency because the impeachment complaint does not talk about the 2028 situation, but her position now in 2026.]
The lawmaker underscored that her announcement of candidacy does not erase accountability as the filings mainly revolved around Duterte’s alleged misuse of millions of confidential funds, which she previously denied.
“Sa kanyang napakaagang announcement, it might be a blessing in disguise that would put her in a place in which mae-expose lalo siya. Maraming katanungan ang itatanong sa kanya, particularly pati ang impeachment complaint na to,” said Abante, the House human rights committee chairperson and member of the justice committee.
[Translation: Her very early announcement might be a blessing in disguise that would expose her further as many questions will be thrown at her, including the impeachment complaint.]
“She might be winnable but she is not unbeatable,” Abante said.
The impeachment complaints have reached the Office of the Speaker but have yet to be referred to the House justice committee.
The impeachment complaint or resolution needs the chamber’s one-third vote, comprising 106 votes, in the plenary to oust Duterte and transmit the case to the Senate for trial.
In 2025, more than 200 House members ousted Duterte, but the articles of impeachment sent to the Senate were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court for violating the one-year bar rule.
