MALAYBALAY CITY (BukidnonNews.Net / 12 May 2026) — Bukidnon lawmakers joined the House of Representatives in voting on the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte after 257 lawmakers approved Committee Report No. 261, transmitting the articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial.
The House conducted a nominal voting during plenary session Monday, with the name of each representative called individually by the House Secretary General. However, livestream coverage did not immediately show how each Bukidnon lawmaker voted, with positions later clarified through statements, vote explanations, and sources.
Bukidnon 3rd District Rep. Audrey Tan-Zubiri abstained from voting. In her explanation, she said she did not want to preempt the possible participation of her husband, Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, should the Senate convene as an impeachment court.
4th District Rep. Laarni Lavin Roque voted against the impeachment, according to a statement released to the media Monday afternoon. Roque said her decision reflected the sentiments of constituents in her district who oppose the impeachment.
1st District Rep. Jose Manuel F. Alba was unable to vote after reportedly suffering a hypertension crisis. In a statement released through his chief of staff, Atty. Richard del Rosario, Alba said he had been hospitalized.
2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith T. Flores also abstained from voting, according to a source close to the lawmaker who confirmed the information to BukidnonNews.Net on Tuesday but requested anonymity.
Swerte Party-list Rep. Arlyn Ayon likewise failed to cast her vote after reportedly suffering food poisoning. In a statement aired over 97.7 Radyo Sincero Valencia, Ayon said she was confined at St. Luke’s Medical Center.
The House vote came after months of committee hearings on impeachment complaints filed against Duterte between February 2 and 18, 2026 by various groups, including the Makabayan Coalition, Tindig Pilipinas, lawyers, clergy members, and private complainants.
The House committee on justice, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, consolidated the complaints into four major grounds that included alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and corruption involving Department of Education officials, and alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Following deliberations and clarificatory hearings, the justice panel unanimously voted on April 29 to declare probable cause, with all 53 members present voting in favor.
The committee later approved the report on May 4 with 55 affirmative votes before it was transmitted to the plenary for voting.(BukidnonNews.Net)
