A political firestorm has erupted in the Philippines. At its heart lies a stunning claim. The move to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte was a “self-inflicted wound.” This wound could tear the administration’s alliances apart. The nation watches as a high-stakes impeachment process unfolds. Internal conflict is now out in the open. This situation is not just a political procedure. It is a full-blown crisis, marked by accusations from within the ruling coalition itself. The term “self-inflicted wound” signals deep fractures. It suggests the political damage is already clear and serious.
"Self-Inflicted Wound": An Ally's Damning Verdict on Impeachment Fallout
Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco is the campaign manager for Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas. He has delivered a harsh verdict. He stated that the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte was the main reason they did not campaign in Mindanao. Tiangco called it a “self-inflicted wound” that led to the loss of some of their candidates. This assessment carries weight due to his role. He believes the administration made a disastrous mistake. This mistake directly caused them to lose support.
Tiangco’s frustration is clear. “Why did they force the impeachment when I told them that nothing would come of it? The Senate won’t take it up until June 2. So that’s what happened. They forced the impeachment, so why are they blaming me for the loss?” he questioned. This shows he feels unfairly blamed for the fallout. He also revealed he warned against the move, saying he told them “nothing would come of it”. This suggests his advice was ignored. He described the impeachment as “self-inflicted” by the administration and something that “could have been prevented”.
Adding to his credibility, Tiangco himself did not sign the articles of impeachment against Duterte when they were sent on February 5. This action from the past shows his concerns are not new. His public statements now suggest a significant breakdown in party discipline. When such criticisms are aired publicly, it often means the damage is severe. Key figures may be trying to protect their own reputations. This public finger-pointing could be the start of more infighting. Such conflict could further weaken the administration.
Mindanao's Fury: How the Impeachment Gamble Alienated a Key Region
The decision to pursue impeachment appears to have badly misjudged the political mood in Mindanao. This region is a known stronghold of the Duterte family. According to Tiangco, once the impeachment complaint was filed and passed at the House of Representatives, he “saw that Mindanao had solidified against them”. This swift, unified negative reaction shows the continued political power of the Dutertes in their home region.
The impact was direct and damaging. Tiangco explained, “That means the votes that some of our candidates could have received were no longer there because people changed the way they chose their candidates, and they chose those who would not vote for impeachment”. Voters in Mindanao actively chose candidates who opposed the impeachment. This shows a strong, emotional response that went beyond normal party loyalty.
This backlash forced a change in campaign strategy for Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas. Instead of campaigning as a group, Tiangco said they “allowed their candidates to campaign on their own in the region”. He admitted, “I knew there was a problem in Mindanao. That’s why in the campaign, I deflected questions on whether we would have a rally in Mindanao because we knew there was a problem. We concentrated on areas where we could get votes”. This tactical retreat is a clear sign of how serious the problem became. The administration’s move seems to have underestimated the deep loyalty to the Dutertes in Mindanao.
The trouble didn’t stop at the national level. Tiangco said that “some local candidates allied with the administration were also affected as some of their rivals campaigned hard against voting for anyone connected with Alyansa”. This shows how national political mistakes can harm local allies. The impeachment made the Alyansa brand toxic in Mindanao. This, in turn, made local candidates linked to it targets for their opponents. The situation may have also been worsened by the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Tiangco mentioned this “may have also had an effect” on Alyansa’s election results. While he was less sure if the arrest’s impact could have been prevented, mentioning it alongside the impeachment suggests a combined negative effect. For Duterte supporters, these actions against both father and daughter likely fueled anger and solidified opposition.
On Trial: The Vice President and a Mountain of Accusations
Vice President Sara Duterte faces a difficult battle. More than 200 members of the House of Representatives supported her impeachment. This makes her the first vice president in the Philippines to be impeached by the House. The charges against her are numerous and severe. They include “culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust and other high crimes”. A key part of these accusations involves the “alleged misuse of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education (DepEd) when she was education secretary”.
The list of allegations is long and shocking. The complaint also involves “serious allegations, including a conspiracy to assassinate the President, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez”. Other charges include the “alleged malversation of P612.5 million in confidential funds, bribery and corruption within the DepEd, unexplained wealth and the failure to disclose assets”. Furthermore, the Vice President faces accusations of “involvement in extrajudicial killings, destabilization, insurrection and public disorder”. The sheer number and severity of these charges, from financial misdeeds to plots of violence and human rights violations, suggest a determined effort to remove her from office. Such a wide array of accusations indicates that those behind the impeachment are not just testing the waters but are deeply committed to her ouster.
In response to these grave charges, Vice President Duterte has taken legal action. She “had filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition with urgent application of temporary restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction before the Supreme Court”. This is a common legal move to try to stop or delay impeachment proceedings. Publicly, she has projected an image of resolve. Recently, she said she was “ready for whatever the result of her impending impeachment trial at the Senate would be”. This dual approach—fighting the process in court while publicly stating her readiness for any outcome—suggests a calculated strategy. She appears to be preparing for a fight on all fronts, both legal and political.
Interestingly, Tiangco claimed there was “no clamor from the public to impeach Duterte“. This statement contrasts sharply with the fact that over 200 House members supported the impeachment. This difference raises questions. Was the impeachment driven by hidden public support, or was it mainly a political move by elites within the House, perhaps without strong demand from ordinary citizens? This contradiction adds another layer to the political drama.
The Senate's Stage: Lawyers, Judges, and a Nation Holding its Breath
The political drama now moves to the Senate for the impeachment trial. Senate President Francis Escudero has outlined the next steps. He emphasized that “the verdict of the impeachment court will hinge on the individual judgment of each senator, who will act as an impeachment judge in this pivotal case”. This highlights that the outcome is not predetermined and will depend on how each senator weighs the evidence.
The timeline for the trial is taking shape. According to Escudero, the trial “is set to continue on July 3 unless the Supreme Court intervenes by issuing a temporary restraining order”. Before the trial can start, the House of Representatives “must first submit the articles of impeachment to the Senate in plenary for approval by the senator-judges”. The articles are expected to be presented on June 2 when the session resumes. The impeachment court is set to convene, and senator-judges will take their oaths the following day.
Adding significant legal firepower to the prosecution are former Senator Leila de Lima and lawyer Chel Diokno. House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said their inclusion means “we see the convergence of moral clarity and legal precision in our pursuit of conviction”. He believes “Their presence brings not only valuable expertise but also a profound human rights perspective that elevates the quality of the entire proceeding”. Speaking of Diokno, Adiong stated, “His presence assures the public that this trial is about truth, not theatrics, not power plays”. The involvement of these well-known figures, especially those with strong human rights backgrounds, is a clear attempt to build public trust in the trial’s fairness and seriousness. It aims to frame the proceedings as a legitimate search for justice, not just political revenge.
The Supreme Court remains a potential wild card. Escudero’s mention of possible SC intervention keeps the legal and political suspense high. A decision from the Supreme Court on VP Duterte’s petition could stop, delay, or change the course of the impeachment. This shows how different branches of government are interacting in this high-stakes process.
Palace Keeps its Distance: A Presidential Pledge of Non-Interference
Amidst this turmoil, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stated he will not interfere in the impeachment trial. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed this, saying, “The President will not lift a finger to interfere in the impeachment trial”. She added that this stance of noninterference has been consistent since before the midterm elections. “The President will not interfere in whatever happens there. Let’s just see who should be held accountable, who should be acquitted. We are all for the rule of law,” Castro stated. She emphasized, “Whatever is under the law, that is what must be followed”.
This official position of neutrality is significant in a political system where presidential influence can be powerful. It could be seen as a genuine respect for the separation of powers. Or, it could be a smart political move to avoid being dragged into a messy fight, especially one involving the daughter of a former ally. By staying out of it, President Marcos Jr. might emerge relatively untouched, no matter the trial’s outcome. If VP Duterte is impeached, a potential rival is weakened. If she is acquitted, he can say he respected the process.
The Palace also sent a message to the senators. Castro said the President “expected senators to act not out of loyalty to any individual, but with accountability to the Filipino people”. She appealed for senators to “fulfill their obligation — not just to one person, but to all Filipinos”. While this sounds neutral, urging senators to be accountable to “all Filipinos” rather than “one person” could be seen as a subtle push. It might encourage them to consider what the administration views as the broader national interest, potentially influencing them to look beyond loyalty to VP Duterte.
Political Tremors: What Lies Ahead in a Shaken Landscape?
The political landscape in the Philippines is currently unstable and filled with uncertainty. The “self-inflicted wound” described by Tiangco is a clear sign of deep divisions within the ruling coalition. These divisions suggest that the alliance that brought President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Duterte to power may be fracturing. Senate President Francis Escudero also acknowledged that the impeachment and the arrest of former President Duterte had “significant repercussions on the results of the midterm elections”. This shows the fallout is already having a real impact.
This crisis is more than just an isolated event. It likely reflects deeper power struggles and changing alliances among the country’s political elite. It could signal the end of the cooperative “UniTeam” era between the Marcos and Duterte camps. Such political crises often force people to choose sides and rethink loyalties. The damage from this “self-inflicted wound” might be severe enough to cause lasting harm to the Alyansa coalition. This could lead to new political groups forming or opposition forces getting stronger.
The future is uncertain. Key questions remain. Can the ruling alliance heal these deep wounds? What will be the long-term impact on Philippine politics? The nation watches closely for developments in the Senate trial and any decisions from the Supreme Court. The combination of a heated trial, a pending court challenge, internal political battles, and strong regional reactions points to a period of ongoing political unease. This instability could affect the government’s ability to focus on its agenda and could impact the country as a whole. The drama is far from over, and the final outcome is very hard to predict.
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