Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor says Vice President Sara Duterte's presidential bid won't derail the House of of Representatives' impeachment proceedings against her, although he doesn't see one-third of the chamber endorsing such case.

"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 Committee on Justice (this will make it to the Committee on Justice)," Defensor, the senior deputy majority leader, said in a chance interview on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 18.

That same morning, Vice President Duterte announced that she would vie for the presidency in the 2028 elections.

She made this announcement amid the imminent initiation of the three impeachment complaints filed agaisnt her so far. Initiation can happen in two ways: through the complaints' referral in plenary to the justice committee; and through the fast-track mode, which involves the endorsement of one-third of the members of the House--specifically 105 solons.

Based on Defensor's remarks, the fast-track mode is no longer realistic.

"As of today, malabo yung express [fast-track mode] na may one-third endorsement and immediate transmittal to the Senate for trial, forthwith (the express or fast-track mode involving one-third endorsement and immediate transmittal to the Senate for trial, forthwith is not achievable).

"We have to accept the fact that many members of the House were dismayed with how the impeachment complaint last year was handled," he said, referring to the failed 2025 impeachment complaint against Duterte that had over 215 backers from the House.

"Ang Senado hindi nila tinupad ang kanilang tungkulin under the Constitution. Kahit ang Presidente na nagsabing may mananagot (The Senate did not fulfill its duty under the Constitution. Even the President, who said that someone would be held accountable), he did not pursue, he said that he will be independent and will leave it to the House of Representatives," he noted.

But Defensor said referral to the Committee on Justice is a different matter. "It will only be referred to the Committee on Justice and I can't say anything more."

At any rate, he shared that the initiation of the impeachment proceedings against Duterte won't take place during Wednesday's plenary session, which was ongoing as of this posting. He said the complaints weren't included in the order of business.

"I hope that we will be as independent as possible. Mas mabuti na yung malaman ng mga tao (It would be better for the people to know). We are doing our constitutional duty in processing the impeachment complaints. But we have to overcome this political exercise and do something for the country," Defensor said.

Once the impeachment raps are referred, the justice panel has 60 session days to determine whether or not they are sufficient in form and in substance.