MANILA – House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor of Iloilo said Vice President Sara Duterte’s decision to seek the presidency in 2028 may influence political alliances but will not interfere with the constitutional handling of impeachment complaints filed against her.

Defensor made the remark in an ambush interview with House reporters following Duterte’s announcement of her presidential bid.

“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 said.

He emphasized that the House of Representatives would continue to carry out its constitutional mandate independently.

“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.

According to Defensor, the complaints 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 rejected claims that Duterte’s presidential bid could 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 that political considerations may come into play as the 2028 elections approach. At present, he said he does not see enough support to immediately elevate 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.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III likewise said Duterte’s declaration would not affect the Senate’s constitutional duty should impeachment proceedings be transmitted to the chamber.

In a chance interview, Sotto stressed the need for impartiality.

“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.

However, Sotto declined to comment on the potential political impact of Duterte’s early announcement.

“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.

Sotto also said there has been no formal discussion in the Senate regarding the International Criminal Court’s naming of Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go as co-perpetrators in the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.

“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.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said the minority bloc is preparing a resolution expressing the Senate’s view that Philippine courts must be respected in cases involving possible 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 said in a separate interview.

He warned that implementing arrest orders from international courts without first allowing recourse to local courts could set a precedent that undermines constitutional safeguards and national sovereignty.

On Duterte’s presidential bid, Cayetano said early declarations allow voters to scrutinize candidates more closely.

“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.