MANILA — Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor said only one-third of House members is required to transmit the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate, pushing back against claims that the complaint could fail if “no” votes outnumber “yes” votes in plenary voting.

“It’s clear that under the Constitution, only one-third is required, and it’s the same intention of the framers of our Constitution. Laging one-third lang ang kailangan na boto para umakyat sa Senado (It’s always a one-third vote needed to transmit it to the Senate) for trial,” Defensor said in a televised interview.

Defensor rejected assertions circulating online and in some legal commentaries suggesting that the impeachment process would be defeated if negative votes exceed affirmative votes in the House plenary.

“So, it’s the same na ‘pag galing sa committee, ‘pag aakyat sa plenary, one-third lang ang kailangan. Kahit mas marami ang ‘no’ (in the committee level and when referred to the plenary, only one-third is needed. Even if there are more ‘no’ votes), it doesn’t matter,” he said.

“That’s wrong, kasi ang one-third ‘yun lang ang kailangan para ma-transmit sa Senate for trial (because only one-third is needed to transmit it to the Senate for trial),” he added.

He also cited constitutional practice, noting that impeachment complaints endorsed by at least one-third of House members are automatically transmitted to the Senate without the need for committee action.

Defensor clarified that the House vote is not a determination of guilt but a procedural step to determine whether the case should proceed to trial.

“The one-third vote is not a vote for conviction. It’s simply to transmit it because there is sufficient evidence to have a trial in the Senate impeachment court,” he said.

“And it’s up to them (senator-judges) whether they will acquit or they will convict the respondent,” he added.

The House Committee on Justice has already referred its committee report—finding probable cause to impeach Duterte—along with the resolution containing the Articles of Impeachment to the plenary, following a 55-0 vote.

All 318 members of the House of Representatives are expected to vote on the impeachment complaint on May 11.