A key House leader said the votes needed to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte are within reach, citing what he described as strong evidence presented during congressional proceedings.
House Committee on Public Accounts chair Terry Ridon said securing the minimum 106 votes required under the Constitution is “not difficult,” although lawmakers are aiming for a higher threshold.
“Kung ang minimum requirement lang ay 106, tingin ko hindi na iyon mahirap gawin votes, but at the very best, we would want to get 215 minimum number of votes,” Ridon said during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
Ridon pointed to what he described as a clear financial trail supporting the impeachment case, including alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, questioned transactions, and supposed threats against top government officials.
“Ang source of confidence natin would be the evidence presented during the proceedings itself. On fund misuse, sobrang linaw ng P448 million na pinapasoli sa pangalawang pangulo,” he said, referring to funds disallowed by the Commission on Audit.
“Sa usapin ng unexplained wealth, sobrang linaw ng P6.7 billion in total transactions ng mag-asawang Duterte-Carpio. Sa usapin ng pagbabanta, sobrang linaw ng pagbabanta,” he added.
The House Committee on Justice earlier voted unanimously to find probable cause to impeach the Vice President.
Under the Constitution, at least one-third of the 318-member House, or 106 votes, is required to transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate.
Ridon said a committee meeting to approve the report is scheduled, with plenary deliberations expected “within the week, or next week.”
“Ang expectation natin diyan, within the next two weeks, we will have transmitted (it) to the Senate and have impeached the Vice President,” he said.
He also rejected Duterte’s claim that the inquiry is a “fishing expedition,” saying the figures presented show otherwise.
“Hindi lang ho pating ang nakita natin. Balyena ho ang nakita doon sa P6.77 billion na pinag-uusapan,” Ridon said.
Ridon further dismissed claims from Duterte’s camp that the complaints are defective, saying such arguments have been repeatedly raised without basis as proceedings continue.
Photo courtesy of Inday Sara Duterte
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