Metro Manila, Philippines – A senior House official said on Wednesday, Feb. 18, the early declaration of Vice President Sara Duterte to run for president in 2028 may influence how lawmakers will vote on the ouster bids against her, dismissing the option of a speedy transmittal of the articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial.
In a chance interview, Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor, senior deputy majority leader, said securing the required one-third vote from House members to impeach Duterte is unlikely for now.
In February 2025, 215 lawmakers voted to oust the vice president, leading the House to immediately transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate, sitting as the Impeachment Court.
The Supreme Court declared this as unconstitutional for violating the one-year bar or the rule that prohibits more than one impeachment proceeding against a high ranking official in one year.
“I cannot see getting one-third of endorsements from the members of the House of Representatives. But I can tell you right now na aabot ito sa [this will reach the] committee on justice,” Defensor said.
He said Duterte’s early announcement was a strategic decision to identify her allies.
While Defensor assured the public that the process in hearing the complaints won’t be affected, he noted that the outcome may be influenced by the vice president’s presidential plan.
“I can tell you that it may affect how the voting may come out. I hope that we will be as independent as possible,” he said.
‘No doubts’ on impeachment proceedings
Meanwhile, ACT Teacher’s Rep. Antonio Tinio, endorser of the first impeachment complaint against Duterte, seemed unfazed with the vice president’s announcement.
He said he has no doubts that the impeachment will continue, expressing confidence that there are still enough numbers at the House.
“Hindi mapagtatakpan ng kahit anong anunsyo ang pananagutan,” he added.
[Translation: No announcement can cover up accountability.]
Dennis Coronacion, political science professor at the University of Santo Tomas, also told NewsWatch Plus that the impeachment against Duterte will still push through.
He, however, noted that the vice president’s announcement “will make the members of Congress think very hard about their position regarding impeachment as it can affect their reelection bids.”
Questionable timing
A number of lawmakers also flagged the timing of Duterte’s declaration, calling it a mere distraction from the corruption allegations she’s facing.
Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago, endorser of the impeachment bid against Duterte, said the move was a “desperate attempt” to divert public attention.
“VP pa lang siya ngayon pero ang tindi na ng korapsyon…we don’t want another Duterte regime in Malacañang,” she said.
[Translation: She’s only the vice president right now, but the corruption is already so intense…we don’t want another Duterte regime in Malacañang]
Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima also challenged the vice president to face the allegations first before setting sight on the presidency.
La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega, House deputy speaker, said Duterte’s declaration revealed her motive in cutting ties with the administration in 2024.
“Her departure from the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was political repositioning – not a principled stand against corruption or inefficiency,” he said in a statement.
Three impeachment complaints have been filed against Duterte over allegations of fund misuse, threats to the presidential family, and unexplained wealth, among others.
All of these have yet to be placed in the Order of Business and referred to the justice panel.
