THE House of Representatives has reportedly amassed enough votes to initiate impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
In an interview with reporters, Velasco said 153 members of the lower chamber have signed up, supporting the fast-tracking of Duterte’s impeachment.
This figure represents more than one-third of all House members, which, based on the Constitution, allows for the immediate convening of a Senate trial, bypassing discussions in the House Committee on Rules and the Committee on Judiciary.
“Pero wala pa kaming exact number until we report it to the plenary,” Velasco said, adding that he will make the formal announcement during the plenary session on Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Senate is already preparing for the possible transmittal of the articles of impeachment against Duterte Wednesday night.
Three impeachment complaints were already filed before the House of Representatives against VP Duterte.
This came amid the ongoing investigation of the House committee on good government and public accountability on the alleged irregularities in the use of public funds by the Office of the Vice President, as well as the Department of Education from 2022 to July 2024, the time VP Duterte served as its secretary.
VP Duterte refused to face the probe, maintaining that there was no irregularity in the use of public funds allocated to her office.
She also had repeatedly accused the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of being behind the efforts to destroy her name for the benefit of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is reportedly eyeing the presidency in 2028.
VP Duterte was also under fire for cursing at Marcos, his wife First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Romualdez, revealing that she had ordered someone to kill the three if she was killed first.
Marcos earlier said he urged the House of Representatives not to pursue an impeachment case against Duterte as it will not be beneficial to the Filipino people. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)