Metro Manila, Philippines – The House of Representatives may muster at least 200 votes to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte next week, two lawmakers said ahead of the scheduled plenary vote on May 11.
Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, member of the justice committee, told reporters on Thursday, May 7, 215 lawmakers already backing the ouster bid based on consultations.
The number is more than two-thirds of the chamber, which has 318 members. Ridon’s projection is the same number that impeached Duterte in 2025.
Meanwhile, Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre, secretary-general for the party-list coalition, said he is optimistic the House would obtain at least 200 votes to impeach the vice president.
“We’re hoping for at least 200 or 215. That’s really the goal. Especially with the last two clarificatory hearings, when evidence actually was really presented and examined as to the veracity and the determination of probable cause,” he said, noting that he’s seeing a higher number than the 180 votes earlier disclosed by two House leaders.
In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor said while he cannot say yet if the impeachment vote would top 200, he said 180 votes are sure based on discussions within party groups.
“Mas dumami ang mga congressmen na bumoto nang hindi nagpakita at hindi nagpaliwanag ang vice president during the committee hearings of the committee on justice. Kaya mas lalong naging matatag ang ebidensya laban sa kanya,” he said.
[Translation: More congressmen ended up voting because the vice president did not appear and did not give an explanation during the committee on justice hearings. As a result, the evidence against her became even stronger.]
Party vote
While lawmakers provide different estimates, at least 137 lawmakers back impeachment, according to numbers provided by three political parties.
The Constitution requires at least one third – in this case – 106 votes to send the case to the Senate for trial.
Acidre told reporters on Thursday, May 7, that 47 out of the 63 party-list groups are in favor of impeachment.
Zia Adiong, spokesman for the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) and assistant majority leader, had said at least 60 out of their 69 members intended to impeach Duterte.
The National Unity Party, on the other hand, has 30 lawmakers backing the ouster bid, according to its chairman and Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno. The group said it will adopt a conscience vote on the matter.
Defensor said there is no reason to oppose the impeachment move.
“With the weight of evidence we have no reason to vote no dahil hindi naman nagpakita at nagpaliwanag ang vice president kung bakit ganoon ang ebidensya lumabas,” he said.
[Translation: With the weight of the evidence, we have no reason to vote no because the vice president did not appear and explain why the evidence turned out that way.]
