By Benny Reyes
MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte continues to gain traction in the House of Representatives, with early vote estimates indicating enough support to bring the case before the Senate.
According to Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, approximately 47 lawmakers from the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. are supporting the impeachment effort. Together with lawmakers from the National Unity Party and Lakas-CMD, the number of committed votes has reportedly climbed to at least 137.
The House only needs 106 votes to transmit the impeachment complaint to the Senate for trial.
Acidre said legislators became more persuaded to support the complaint after examining evidence presented against the vice president.
Several lawmakers earlier projected even higher numbers. Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon estimated close to 200 votes in favor of impeachment, while Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong placed the count at around 180.
Puno said at least 30 members of the NUP would likely support the complaint, while Adiong noted that over 60 lawmakers from Lakas-CMD were expected to join the move.
In 2025, the House approved articles of impeachment against Duterte with 215 lawmakers backing the measure. The Supreme Court later voided the proceedings, ruling that constitutional safeguards and procedural rules had been violated.
Supporters of the current impeachment push said they aim to secure an even larger number of votes than the previous attempt.
