Solons switch political parties ahead of VP Duterte articles of impeachment vote

A realignment of political forces is happening in the House of Representatives ahead of next week’s crucial vote on the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. The to and fro of congressmen between the major political parties have mainly buffed up the size of the National Unity Party (NUP), headed in the House by Deputy Speaker Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Ronaldo “Ronnie” Puno; and the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), headed in the chamber by Speaker Isabela 6th district Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy. According to sources, the membership of the NUP and PFP have swelled to more than 50 each. This is significantly higher than the two parties’ respective memberships at the start of the 20th Congress in June 2025. Meanwhile, the Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez-led Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD)–perceived the among the prime movers of Vice President Duterte’s impeachment this year and in 2025–remains formidable with just over 70 stalwarts in the 318-strong House, also per sources. The Lakas-CMD began the 20th Congress with around 100 members. The two other major political factions in the House–the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and Nacionalista Party (NP)–reportedly have around 55 and 35 stalwarts, respectively. Three House members confirmed to have transferred recently were Manila Reps. Joel Chua (3rd district), Ernesto “Ernix” Dionisio (1st district) and Irwin Tieng (5th district). From Lakas-CMD, the trio transferred to the NUP. Two other Manila congressmen—Reps. Rolando Valeriano (2nd district) and Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. (6th district)–are already with NUP. Abante is an endorser of one of the four impeachment complaints filed against the Vice President this 2026. On April 29, the House Committee on Justice chaired by Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro unanimously declared the existence of probable cause in the two impeachment raps that prospered during the course of its hearings. Last Monday, May 4, the justice panel approved the committee report and the articles of impeachment against Vice President Duterte. The House plenary is expected to vote for the adoption of the articles of impeachment on May 11.