TACLOBAN CITY — Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre on Thursday, May 7, expressed confidence that the House of Representatives will secure enough votes to reach or surpass the two-thirds threshold needed to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte when the matter is brought to a vote on Monday, May 11.
Acidre said in a press briefing that he expects strong support from lawmakers based on the recent deliberations conducted by the House Committee on Justice, which handled the clarificatory hearings on the impeachment complaints.
“Based on our monitoring, I think we’re going to hit the majority number. We’re hoping the result would be as much as or even higher than the impeachment last time, we’re hoping that at least 200 or 215, that’s really the goal,” he said.
“As of now, I can confidently say it will be above 180,” he added, referring to earlier estimates from House leaders, including Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno of Antipolo City.
Acidre said his confidence stems from the committee hearings where evidence was presented and scrutinized to determine probable cause.
“This time we have everything: full session, full committee hearing, and the members themselves. Even those who are not members of the committee were monitoring and everyone was able to see,” he said.
He added that continued hearings helped clarify the issues and strengthened support among lawmakers who were initially undecided.
“Mas dumami ‘yung kumbaga, kung meron pang nagdadalawang isip, by the 2nd and 3rd hearing, mas marami na ang nakumbinsi dahil sa ebidensya,” he said.
Acidre also noted that public viewing of the proceedings through television and social media contributed to greater understanding of the complaints.
“I know for the last couple of weeks, even months, people have been actually studying the progress and the details of the impeachment complaints,” he said.
When asked about the position of party-list lawmakers, he estimated that at least 47 out of more than 60 members would vote in favor of impeachment.
He acknowledged, however, that some groups remain reserved due to political affiliations.
“There are some party-lists who are close to the Vice President and to the former administration, and we understand the position that they’re taking,” he said.
Still, Acidre said he expects colleagues to base their decision on the evidence and what they believe serves the national interest.
“I trust that my colleagues will decide according to their judgment based on evidence, reason, and what is in the best interest of the country,” he added.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
