House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor of Iloilo on Wednesday said Vice President Sara Duterte’s declaration to run for president in the 2028 national elections may reshape political alignments but will not derail the constitutional process on the impeachment complaints filed against her.
“It’s a strategic decision to strengthen her following. Lalo na may mga impeachment complaints na nakahain laban sa kanya. Mabuti din sa kanya para malaman niya kung sino talaga ang mga kakampi niya, kung sino ang hindi niya mga kakampi (Especially since there are impeachment complaints filed against her. Good for her so that she would know who really are with her, who are against her),” Defensor told House reporters in an ambush interview following Duterte’s announcement.
“I hope that we will be as independent as possible. Mas mabuti na ‘yung malaman ng mga tao (It is better that the people know). We are doing our constitutional duty in processing the impeachment complaints,” he said, adding that such complaints would still follow the normal route in the House of Representatives.
The complaints, Defensor added, will be referred to the committee on justice to determine whether they are sufficient in form and substance.
“It will not affect how the process will go on in terms of hearing it, in terms of deliberations in the Committee on Justice,” he said. “I can assure you that as far as the Committee on Justice is concerned that chairman and its members will be objective in hearing and deliberating the impeachment complaints based on the Constitution.”
He also dismissed suggestions that Duterte’s presidential bid would pressure lawmakers.
“No, hindi naman pinipigilan (it’s not being hindered). I don’t see any reason to say na may pumipigil o may nag-influence (that there is someone stopping or influencing the process),” Defensor said.
Still, he acknowledged the political reality facing House members, especially with the 2028 elections drawing nearer.
For now, Defensor does not see the numbers for an immediate elevation of the complaints to the Senate.
“As of right now, as of today, I cannot see getting one-third of endorsements from the members of the House of Representatives. But I can tell you right now that aabot ito sa (it will reach the) Committee on Justice,” he said.
Similar sentiment
Senate President Vicente Sotto III also said Duterte’s move would not affect the Senate’s constitutional role should impeachment proceedings reach the chamber.
In a chance interview, Sotto said senators are duty-bound to remain impartial, regardless of political developments.
“The senators are expected to be impartial always, no matter who is going to be charged. Kanino mang articles of impeachment at sumampa samin, we are expected to be impartial (Whoever’s articles of impeachment reach us, we are expected to be impartial),” he said.
Sotto, however, declined to speculate on the political implications of Duterte’s early declaration.
“You’re asking me about something na might happen in 2027, October of 2027… Kasi ngayon, everything else is speculation (Because right now, everything else is speculation),” he said.
Meanwhile, Sotto said there is no official notice or discussion yet regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) naming Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go as co-perpetrators in the Duterte administration’s drug war.
“So, I’ll cross the bridge when I get there. Are there members who would want the caucus? Then I’ll call the caucus. Pero hindi ko pangungunahan (But I will not preempt it),” he said.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said the minority bloc is drafting a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Philippine courts must be respected in matters involving potential arrest orders from international tribunals.
“Ang essence, ang spirit ng ating Constitution ay kung may problema, pwede kang tumakbo sa Philippine Courts (The essence, the spirit of our Constitution is that if there is a problem, you can run to Philippine courts),” Cayetano told reporters in a separate interview.
He warned against what he described as a dangerous precedent if arrest orders from international courts are implemented without allowing recourse to local courts, saying such a move could undermine constitutional safeguards and sovereignty.
On Duterte’s presidential bid, Cayetano said early announcements allow for greater public scrutiny.
“We’re in a democracy. For me, the earlier na lahat ng kandidato ay mag-announce, better (all candidates announce, the better)… Of course, I wish her well,” he said. (With a report from Wilnard Bacelonia/PNA)