The House of Representatives is unlikely to face difficulty in voting on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte if they reach the plenary, according to Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon.
Ridon expressed confidence in the process, citing previous sufficiency-in-substance votes that indicate broad support for moving forward.
"Kung pagbabatayan po natin yung boto noong sufficiency in substance vote, nakita po natin na 54 votes na po yung nakuha at that point, lagpas kalahati na po nung 106 votes para makapag-impeach ng isang impeachable official," he said.
"Tingin ko 'yung last 52 votes para maabot po yung 106 minimum threshold para sa pag-impeach po ng isang opisyal, tingin ko hindi na po mahihirapang makuha 'yon," he added.
The House Committee on Justice is set to begin formal proceedings on Wednesday, March 25. The initial hearings will focus on preliminary matters, including determining motions, issuing subpoenas for documents, and setting guidelines for presenting evidence. Among the motions to be decided is the custody of Ramil Madriaga, filed by Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno.
"Bahagi yung pagtalakay ng preliminary matters. Kasama po dyan 'yung pag-determine at pagdecide ng mga motions. Una patungkol sa pagdecide sa custody ni Mr. Ramil Madriaga, which is yung motion po ni Cong. Chel Diokno, yun pong issuances ng subpoenas sa lahat ng mga dokumento at witnesses at resource persons sa mga impeachment complaints," Ridon said.
Subpoenas will cover key documents such as Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), tax and bank records, corporate records of the Duterte-Carpio family, and reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC). Other evidence may include video documentation of alleged death threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as well as reports on the use of confidential funds.
Ridon said the main hearings are expected to take place between April and the end of May. He added that by the end of May, the House hopes to hold a plenary vote to decide on the next steps regarding the impeachment complaints.
Earlier, House Committee on Justice Chairperson and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro said the process could be fast-tracked if Vice President Duterte skips the hearings.
"Her absence would mean no counter-evidence could be presented to contest the allegations, which could lead to the immediate transmission of the complaint to the Senate, acting as the impeachment court," Luistro explained.
Ridon noted that attendance by the Vice President is voluntary, and both complainants and respondents may submit evidence in writing if they cannot attend in person.
"Titingnan po natin kung makakapresenta na po ng ebidensya yung mga complainants at endorsers, kung handa na rin po ba sila sa kanilang presentation at mga ebidensya at documentation," he said.
On March 18, House Committee on Justice has declared the third and fourth impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte "sufficient in grounds".
