ILOILO – Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s early declaration of her 2028 presidential bid is a calculated political move that could influence how lawmakers vote on the impeachment complaints against her, Iloilo 3rd District’s Cong. Lorenz Defensor said.
Defensor, House senior deputy majority leader, described Duterte-Carpio’s announcement as a “strategic decision” aimed at consolidating her political base while facing impeachment complaints, stressing that while the process at the House Committee on Justice will proceed independently, the voting dynamics among lawmakers could shift.
“It’s a strategic decision to strengthen her following lalo na’t may impeachment complaints nakahain labana sa kanya. Mabuti din para sa kanya para malaman niya kung sino talaga ang mga kakampi niya, kung sino ang hindi niya kakampi,” Defensor said in an interview with national media on February 18.
He clarified that Duterte-Carpio’s presidential bid will not alter the formal proceedings at the Committee on Justice on the impeachment complaints filed.
“But I can tell you that it may affect how the voting will come out,” Defensor added.
Defensor expressed hope that members of the House of Representatives would remain independent and faithful to their constitutional mandate in acting on impeachment complaints, emphasizing that the public must see lawmakers performing their duties objectively.
He also underscored the need for the country to move beyond political exercises and focus on more productive national concerns rather than being consumed solely by impeachment proceedings.
Meanwhile, Defensor acknowledged that, as of now, the impeachment complaints have yet to secure the one-third endorsement required from House members to elevate the case, though he expects the matter to at least reach the Committee on Justice.
He pointed out lingering dissatisfaction among House members over how a previous impeachment complaint was handled, particularly the Senate’s alleged failure to fulfill its constitutional obligation.
“Right now, if we’re going to do it all over again, I can honestly tell you that it will only, at least today, be referred to the Committee on Justice and I can’t say anything more,” Defensor said.
When asked about the complaint’s chances of passing the committee level, Defensor said the complainants and endorsers should first present their evidence and allow members to determine whether it is sufficient in form and substance./PN
