A HUGE majority of lawmakers from the Visayas and Mindanao voted to impeach Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, a development House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur said Tuesday showed that the push for accountability now cuts across regional and political lines, including in longtime Duterte strongholds.
The House of Representatives voted 257-25-9 to approve the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, with overwhelming support coming from lawmakers across the country.
Official House tallies showed that 43 out of 50 lawmakers from the Visayas voted in favor of impeachment, while 41 out of 61 lawmakers from Mindanao also voted yes.
Alonto Adiong said the voting pattern shattered claims that the impeachment effort was driven only by Luzon or “Imperial Manila.”
“This was not about geography or politics. This was about evidence, constitutional duty, and accountability to the Filipino people,” Alonto Adiong said.
Particularly notable, Alonto Adiong said, was the outcome in the Davao Region, long considered the political bailiwick of the Duterte family.
Lawmakers from the Davao Region, according to official House records, who voted to impeach Duterte were 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,” Alonto Adiong 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, House records bared that lawmakers from Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte, Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Aklan, Antique, Biliran, Capiz, Guimaras, and Siquijor voted overwhelmingly in favor of impeachment.
In Mindanao, records showed that support for impeachment also came from lawmakers representing the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, BARMM, and the Davao Region.
House tallies also showed that Luzon lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the impeachment, with 125 out of 142 congressmen voting yes.
Alonto Adiong said the nationwide voting pattern reflected growing concern over allegations that Duterte misused P612.5 million in confidential funds, amassed unexplained wealth, bribed government officers, and threatened to kill the country’s top officials.
He noted that the evidence and testimony presented during the House Committee on Justice hearings were overwhelming and damning, and more than enough to justify the impeachment proceedings against Duterte.
The Articles of Impeachment are set to be transmitted to the Senate for trial.
