House Support for Sara Impeachment Gains Momentum Following Unanimous Committee Vote

In a remarkable display of legislative unity, the House Committee on Justice unanimously approved its report recommending the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, countering narratives of waning support for her removal from office, according to lawyer Jesus Falcis.

Speaking during an interview with award-winning broadcast journalist Pinky Webb on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s “On Point,” Falcis highlighted the significance of the 55 votes garnered during Monday’s committee hearing.

“What’s newsworthy here is that the voting remains unanimous,” Falcis explained, addressing claims circulating among pro-Duterte social media personalities. “There’s propaganda already suggesting mass panic or withdrawal, coming from certain DDS vloggers claiming that some congressmen are refusing to sign or are refraining from co-authoring the resolution. But the unanimity again proves there is no such thing.”

The Justice committee, which includes more than 60 members with Deputy Speakers serving as ex officio members, showed no visible fractures in its position. This solidarity suggests strong momentum for the impeachment process as it moves toward the plenary session.

Falcis expressed confidence that reaching the required 106 votes in the plenary—representing one-third of the 318 House representatives—would be “very easy to achieve.” This threshold is crucial for impeaching the Vice President and transmitting the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial.

The lawyer also referenced Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon’s confident prediction that Duterte will be impeached, suggesting this assurance stems from behind-the-scenes head counts being conducted among legislators.

“And of course, the House whip, which is the majority floor leader, is there. The Majority Leader is the son of the President, Congressman Sandro Marcos,” Falcis noted. He acknowledged allegations from Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte that Congressman Sandro has been making calls to secure votes, adding, “There is nothing wrong with that. What’s wrong if he makes calls?”

This internal whipping process is standard legislative practice, according to Falcis. “The House leadership doesn’t want to be embarrassed by bringing something to the plenary without securing the votes. You don’t vote on a matter when you’re not sure the votes are with you.”

The impeachment effort against Vice President Duterte represents one of the most significant political developments in the Philippines since the 2022 election. The unanimous committee vote signals growing tension between the Marcos administration and the Duterte faction, former allies who appear increasingly at odds.

Political analysts note that the impeachment push comes amid a broader realignment of power in Philippine politics, with the Marcos family reasserting influence while the Dutertes, who dominated the previous administration, face mounting challenges to their political standing.

The Vice President, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has remained defiant throughout the proceedings, with her supporters characterizing the impeachment as politically motivated. Her father’s “Diehard Duterte Supporters” (DDS), a powerful social media force during his presidency, have been actively campaigning against the impeachment.

As the process moves forward, observers will be watching closely to see if the unity displayed in committee translates to the required support in the full House, where political allegiances and regional loyalties may yet complicate what appears to be straightforward legislative math.

The impeachment vote, when it occurs, will mark a pivotal moment in Philippine politics, potentially altering the balance of power for the remainder of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term.