A solon expressed confidence that support for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte in the House of Representatives could reach as high as 200 votes when the matter is taken up in plenary on May 11.
In a news forum, Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said lawmakers backing the impeachment are aiming to secure at least two-thirds of the House membership.
“I think we’re going to hit the majority number. We’re hoping the result would reach at least 200 to 215 votes,” he said.
The lawmaker added that based on current discussions and commitments among House members, support for the impeachment has already surpassed 180 votes, which is consistent with earlier projections made by House leaders, including Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno.
He attributed the growing support to the clarificatory hearings conducted by the House Committee on Justice, where lawmakers were able to examine evidence and testimonies linked to the impeachment complaints.
According to him, the recent proceedings differed from previous impeachment efforts because members were given the opportunity to fully review evidence presented during committee hearings.
He said even lawmakers who were not members of the committee closely monitored the hearings and discussions, allowing them to independently assess the allegations.
The solon noted that some lawmakers were initially hesitant to support the impeachment move, but many eventually became convinced after the second and third hearings as more evidence was presented.
“At the start, not everyone was fully convinced. But as we went through the evidence, the arguments for impeachment became clearer and stronger,” he said.
The party-list lawmaker also said public interest in the impeachment proceedings had grown in recent weeks, with many Filipinos following the hearings through television and social media platforms.
According to him, the discussions and evidence presented during the hearings helped inform both lawmakers and the public about the impeachment complaints filed against Duterte.
Asked about the position of the party-list coalition, Acidre estimated that at least 47 out of more than 60 party-list representatives would support impeachment.
He acknowledged, however, that some lawmakers remain hesitant due to their ties to the Vice President and the previous administration.
Despite differing positions, Acidre said he respects the stance of his colleagues and believes lawmakers would ultimately vote based on evidence, reason, and what they believe is best for the country.