House Gathers Enough Signatures to Impeach Philippines’ VP

The Philippine House of Representatives has gathered enough signatures to push forward the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. Sources confirmed on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, that the required number of lawmakers have endorsed the complaint, setting the stage for its presentation in the House plenary.

Signature Tally and Imminent Reading in the Plenary

As of 2 PM, Philippine local time, on February 5, at least 206 lawmakers had signed the impeachment complaint, surpassing the threshold required for the process to move forward. While sources reported varying numbers, with a second source citing 195 signatures and House Secretary General Reginald Velasco mentioning 153, the final count is still expected to grow as more signatures are submitted.

The complaint is expected to be read aloud in the plenary before the session adjourns this evening, coinciding with the start of the three-month-long election campaign period.

Security Measures and Lawmaker Meetings

Ahead of the impeachment proceedings, security was heightened around Romualdez Hall, where an impromptu meeting of majority lawmakers took place. The session will continue to unfold as the formal impeachment complaint is debated and read.

What’s Next for the Impeachment Process

If the impeachment process goes through, the articles of impeachment will be forwarded to the Senate, where Duterte will face a trial. The developments come after months of public scrutiny over Duterte's actions, particularly concerning irregularities in her public spending as vice president and her time as Department of Education secretary, a role she resigned from in June 2024.

Ongoing Debate and Future Outlook

While the impeachment complaint has gained traction, Duterte has not yet been formally indicted, and the number of signatures may fluctuate in the coming hours. Lawmakers will continue to monitor the situation as the process moves closer to a Senate trial, where the Vice President will have the opportunity to respond to the charges.