Vice President Sara Duterte’s traditional political strongholds in the Visayas and Mindanao showed visible cracks after a large majority of lawmakers from both regions voted in favor of her impeachment at the House of Representatives.
The House approved the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte with 257 lawmakers voting in favor, 25 against, and nine abstaining.
Official House tallies showed that 43 of the 50 lawmakers from the Visayas supported the impeachment, while 41 of the 61 lawmakers from Mindanao also voted to impeach the Vice President.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the voting pattern demonstrated that the push for accountability had moved beyond regional and political loyalties.
“This was not about geography or politics. This was about evidence, constitutional duty, and accountability to the Filipino people,” Adiong said.
He added that the results disproved claims that the impeachment drive was merely an initiative pushed by Luzon-based politicians or so-called “Imperial Manila.”
Particularly significant, according to the solon, was the outcome in the Davao Region, long regarded as the Duterte family’s political base.
House records showed that several lawmakers from the region voted in favor of impeachment, including Reps. John Tracy Cagas of Davao del Sur, Leonel “Jhong” Ceniza of Davao de Oro’s 2nd District, Jose Manuel “JM” Lagdameo of Davao del Norte’s 2nd District, De Carlo Uy of Davao del Norte’s 1st District, and Carmen Zamora of Davao de Oro’s 1st District.
“For decades, the Duterte brand drew much of its political strength from Mindanao and especially Davao. That is why this vote is politically significant,” the lawmaker said.
“This showed that even leaders from areas long identified with the Dutertes believe serious constitutional questions must be confronted,” he added.
In the Visayas, lawmakers from Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte, Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Aklan, Antique, Biliran, Capiz, Guimaras, and Siquijor overwhelmingly voted for impeachment, based on House records.
Support for the impeachment also came from lawmakers representing the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, BARMM, and parts of the Davao Region.
House tallies further showed that lawmakers from Luzon strongly backed the impeachment, with 125 out of 142 representatives voting yes.
Adiong said the nationwide support reflected growing concern over allegations against Duterte, including the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and alleged threats against top government officials.
He added that evidence and testimonies presented during hearings conducted by the House Committee on Justice provided sufficient basis for the impeachment proceedings.
The Articles of Impeachment are expected to be transmitted to the Senate for trial.