Impeach vote set for today

CEBU, Philippines — It’s Judgment Day today, May 11, at the House of Representatives as lawmakers prepare to once again vote on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte — a first in Philippine history.

All 318 members of the House, including Cebu’s 13 representatives composed of 11 district lawmakers and two party-list representatives, are expected to cast their votes when sessions resume this afternoon.

Lawmakers allied with the leadership of Speaker Faustino Dy III are confident they can easily secure the minimum 106 votes required under the Constitution to approve the Articles of Impeachment and transmit them to the Senate for trial.

“We are anticipating that we will be given the opportunity to defend the committee report, to defend the findings of probable cause, to defend the Articles of Impeachment,” said House Committee on Justice chairperson Rep. Gerville Luistro of Batangas’ second district.

Rep. Terry Ridon earlier predicted that the vote could reach 215 — matching the support gathered during the filing of the impeachment complaint in February 2025 — while National Unity Party chairman and Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno projected at least 180 votes.

A reliable source who requested anonymity told The Freeman that 215 lawmakers had already committed to support the impeachment as of yesterday.

The figure allegedly does not yet include Cebuano lawmakers, where the majority are also expected to vote in favor of the impeachment.

Only Cebu third district Rep. Karen Garcia and fourth district Rep. Sun Shimura have publicly declared they will vote no. The rest of Cebu’s congressmen are reportedly inclined to support the move.

The source added that lawmakers are under intense pressure from Malacañang to ensure the Articles of Impeachment are transmitted to the Senate.

Voting will be done through nominal voting, allowing each House member to explain his or her vote on the floor.

The plenary session will tackle the committee report and resolution approved by the House justice committee after weeks of hearings into allegations involving P612.5 million in confidential funds, unexplained wealth amounting to P6.77 billion, bribery, and threats against top government officials.

The House justice committee earlier voted unanimously, 53-0, to find probable cause to impeach Duterte and later approved, 55-0, the committee report and resolution endorsing the Articles of Impeachment for plenary deliberation.

Luistro said lawmakers should expect heated debates on both the findings and the conduct of the proceedings, but stressed that the committee is prepared to answer all questions raised during plenary.

Under the 1987 Constitution, approval by at least one-third of all House members — equivalent to 106 votes in the 318-member chamber — is enough to elevate the impeachment case to the Senate, where senators will sit as senator-judges.

The first article of impeachment concerns the alleged misuse and irregular disbursement of confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary from July 2022 until July 2024.

The second article focuses on allegations of unexplained wealth and discrepancies involving Duterte’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth, as well as bank transactions flagged by the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

The third article involves allegations of bribery linked to cash envelopes reportedly distributed to DepEd officials during Duterte’s term as education chief.

The fourth article centers on Duterte’s controversial remarks in November 2024, in which she publicly stated that she had arranged for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then Speaker Martin Romualdez to be killed should anything happen to her.

Meanwhile, Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy urged Catholic lawmakers to approach the impeachment issue with prayer, moral responsibility, and conscience.

In his pastoral guide titled “A Pastoral Guide for Lawmakers on the Question of Impeachment,” Uy reminded public officials that impeachment should not be treated as a political strategy or partisan exercise.

“It is a serious matter that touches on truth, justice, accountability, and the common good,” Uy said.

The archbishop stressed that lawmakers must examine their conscience before deciding on impeachment cases.

“The first question should not be: ‘Will this help my political future?’ but rather: ‘What is true, just, and beneficial for the nation?’” he said.

Uy clarified that allowing the constitutional process to proceed when there is sufficient legal basis does not automatically mean declaring a person guilty, but instead allows the truth to be examined fairly and transparently.

He also warned lawmakers against making decisions influenced by anger, blind loyalty, fear, political pressure, or personal ambition.

“Decisions that affect the nation must be guided not by political convenience but by moral integrity,” he added.

Uy encouraged lawmakers to pray, seek discernment, and consult constitutional experts, spiritual advisers, persons of integrity, and constituents while remaining independent from political patrons and pressure groups.

“Leadership sometimes requires the courage to stand for what is right even when it is difficult or unpopular,” Uy said.

Quoting Scripture, the archbishop cited Mark 8:36: “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

Uy concluded by reminding lawmakers that they are accountable not only to the public and political parties but ultimately to God.

“May God guide all our leaders with wisdom, courage, humility, and love for the Filipino people,” he said. (CEBU NEWS)