House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin projected on Friday that “more than half” of the House of Representatives may vote to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, well exceeding the constitutional requirement to send the case to the Senate.
Under the 1987 Constitution, only one-third of the House—equivalent to 106 members—is needed to transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial.
Garin’s estimate suggests a significant shift in congressional sentiment following the House Committee on Justice’s recent unanimous finding of probable cause.
Garin, a high-ranking member of the Lakas-CMD party, noted that within her own bloc of over 80 lawmakers, approximately two-thirds are expected to favor impeachment.
While she maintained that the evidence regarding the alleged misuse of confidential funds and unexplained wealth remains “unrebutted,” she acknowledged that geographical and political factors still play a role for some legislators.
“Ayaw nila na magkaroon ng political enemies… Lalu na kapag sabihin na natin ‘yung geographical location… kapag ang distrito mo ay nasa Mindanao, minsan kailangan mong balansehin.”
(“They don’t want to create political enemies… Especially when we consider the geographical location… if your district is in Mindanao, sometimes you have to balance things out.”)
CONSCIENCE VOTE FOR LAKAS-CMD
Unlike other political blocs that may enforce a party-wide mandate, Lakas-CMD will allow its members to vote based on their individual judgment.
Garin revealed that the party has held several internal meetings to gauge the leanings of its members.
“In the case of the impeachment of the Vice President, nagkakaroon ng mga small meetings. Kanya-kanyang meeting, kanya-kanyang partido. Kami naman sa partido Lakas ay nagkaroon ng I think two or three meetings. ‘Yung iba nga Zoom. Ang pinag-uusapan naman siyempre doon sa meeting is sino ‘yung sang-ayon, sino ‘yung hindi. Para naiintindihan ng partido ‘yung stand.”
(“In the case of the impeachment of the Vice President, there are small meetings. Each meeting, each party. For us in the Lakas party, I think we had two or three meetings. Some were via Zoom. Of course, what is being discussed in the meeting is who is in favor and who is not, so the party understands the stand.”)
BROAD COALITION SUPPORT
Garin’s forecast was echoed by Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon, who indicated that a majority of the House’s party-list representatives are also leaning toward supporting the impeachment complaint.
Lawmakers are currently preparing for a pivotal plenary vote scheduled for May 4, 2026. If the “more than half” projection holds true, the Vice President will become the first high-ranking official in recent history to face a Senate trial triggered by such a substantial House majority.