Impeachment is ultimately a numbers game, and San Juan lone district Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora believes that the House of Representatives has the numbers to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte for the second time in as many years.

“I believe we have the numbers,” Zamora, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Justice, said on March 28 during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.

She noted that under the Constitution, at least one-third of the 318-member House must vote in favor of the impeachment in plenary for the case to be transmitted to the Senate for trial.

“We need one-third or around 106, if I’m not mistaken. And I believe we have the numbers,” Zamora stressed amid political concerns.

Last month, Duterte announced that she would be vying for the presidency in the 2028 national elections. At the very least, the lady official's declaration would make House members assess their political standing this early heading into the polls.

Congressmen handily impeached Duterte via the fast-track mode in plenary last year in a case that didn't go through the justice committee. The SC eventually declared the impeachment complaint and articles of impeachment unconstitutional due to a technicality, and no actual Senate impeachment trial took place.

In the ongoing 2026 impeachment proceedings, the House became more methodical in its approach and chose the committee track under the justice panel to satisfy the rulings of the SC--the separation of powers between the legislature and tje judiciary notwithstanding.

Zamora said that while some of her House colleagues have noted that the case was essentially the same as before, it is now supported by additional evidence and attachments, with similar impeachable offenses.

“I assured my colleagues, meron pong kaso (there is a case),” said the lawyer-solon.

The San Juan lawmaker acknowledged that some members have expressed hesitation, particularly with the elections approaching, but said this is expected given the political nature of impeachment.

“I admit that some may be dilly-dallyed. I admit that some congressmen have questions compared to last year. Well, of course, dahil paparating na nga po ang next elections (because the next elections are approaching.),” Zamora said.

“Again, we admit nga po na this is a political process. But as we go along, I believe that our colleagues are seeing the cause that the members of the Committee on Justice are fighting for," she added.

Meanwhile, Zamora clarified that the ongoing proceedings at the committee level are part of determining probable cause, not yet a full trial.

If and when probable cause is determined the matter will be elevated to the House plenary for further action.

Zamora was part of the House prosecution panel for 2025 impeachment case against Duterte.