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Sara Duterte's Southern Stronghold Cracks Over Impeachment
Photo credit: Inday Sara Duterte
Support for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte extended deep into the Visayas and Mindanao, a development lawmakers said signals a major political shift even in regions long considered strongholds of the Duterte family.
The House of Representatives of the Philippines voted 257-25-9 to approve the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, with lawmakers from across the country backing the move.
Official House records showed that 43 of the 50 lawmakers from the Visayas voted in favor of impeachment, while 41 out of 61 lawmakers from Mindanao also supported the complaint.
Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong said the results disproved claims that the impeachment drive was being pushed only by Luzon or so-called “Imperial Manila.”
“This was no longer about regional alliances or political camps. This was about accountability and constitutional responsibility,” Adiong said.
He noted that one of the most significant developments was the support coming from the Davao Region, widely regarded for decades as the political stronghold of the Duterte family.
Based on House tallies, lawmakers from the Davao Region who voted in favor of impeachment included John Tracy Cagas of Davao del Sur, Leonel Ceniza of Davao de Oro’s 2nd District, Jose Manuel 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 years, the Duterte name carried enormous political influence in Mindanao, especially in Davao. That is why this vote carries strong political meaning,” Adiong said.
He added that the voting pattern showed that even leaders from regions traditionally allied with the Dutertes believed the allegations against the Vice President deserved serious constitutional scrutiny.
House records also showed overwhelming support for impeachment from lawmakers in Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte, Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Aklan, Antique, Biliran, Capiz, Guimaras, and Siquijor.
Meanwhile, lawmakers from the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, the Bangsamoro region, and parts of Davao also backed the impeachment move.
In Luzon, House tallies showed that 125 out of 142 lawmakers voted in favor of the Articles of Impeachment.
Adiong said the nationwide support reflected growing concern over allegations that Duterte misused confidential funds amounting to P612.5 million, accumulated unexplained wealth, bribed government officials, and issued threats against top national leaders.
According to him, the evidence and testimonies presented during hearings of the House Committee on Justice were strong enough to justify moving the impeachment process forward.
The Articles of Impeachment are expected to be transmitted to the Senate of the Philippines, which will convene as an impeachment court for Duterte’s trial.
The House of Representatives of the Philippines voted 257-25-9 to approve the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, with lawmakers from across the country backing the move.
Official House records showed that 43 of the 50 lawmakers from the Visayas voted in favor of impeachment, while 41 out of 61 lawmakers from Mindanao also supported the complaint.
Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong said the results disproved claims that the impeachment drive was being pushed only by Luzon or so-called “Imperial Manila.”
“This was no longer about regional alliances or political camps. This was about accountability and constitutional responsibility,” Adiong said.
He noted that one of the most significant developments was the support coming from the Davao Region, widely regarded for decades as the political stronghold of the Duterte family.
Based on House tallies, lawmakers from the Davao Region who voted in favor of impeachment included John Tracy Cagas of Davao del Sur, Leonel Ceniza of Davao de Oro’s 2nd District, Jose Manuel 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 years, the Duterte name carried enormous political influence in Mindanao, especially in Davao. That is why this vote carries strong political meaning,” Adiong said.
He added that the voting pattern showed that even leaders from regions traditionally allied with the Dutertes believed the allegations against the Vice President deserved serious constitutional scrutiny.
House records also showed overwhelming support for impeachment from lawmakers in Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte, Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Aklan, Antique, Biliran, Capiz, Guimaras, and Siquijor.
Meanwhile, lawmakers from the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, the Bangsamoro region, and parts of Davao also backed the impeachment move.
In Luzon, House tallies showed that 125 out of 142 lawmakers voted in favor of the Articles of Impeachment.
Adiong said the nationwide support reflected growing concern over allegations that Duterte misused confidential funds amounting to P612.5 million, accumulated unexplained wealth, bribed government officials, and issued threats against top national leaders.
According to him, the evidence and testimonies presented during hearings of the House Committee on Justice were strong enough to justify moving the impeachment process forward.
The Articles of Impeachment are expected to be transmitted to the Senate of the Philippines, which will convene as an impeachment court for Duterte’s trial.
May 13, 2026
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