A high-ranking campaign official has called Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment a “self-inflicted wound” that severely damaged the administration’s midterm election prospects in Mindanao.
“Once the impeachment complaint was filed, I saw Mindanao solidify against us,” revealed Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco, campaign manager of Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, in a frank radio interview on DZBB.
The political miscalculation triggered a voter backlash across the region. “People changed how they chose candidates. They picked those who wouldn’t vote for impeachment,” Tiangco explained.
As a result, Tiangco’s team skipped campaigning in Mindanao altogether. Instead, they let candidates campaign individually, hoping voters might include at least two names from their slate alongside the Duter10 candidates.
“We knew there was a problem in Mindanao,” Tiangco admitted. “That’s why I avoided questions about rallies there. We focused on areas where we could actually get votes.”
The political aftershocks extended beyond national candidates. Local politicians aligned with the administration also suffered as opponents campaigned hard against anyone connected to Alyansa.
Despite being an administration ally, Tiangco refused to sign the articles of impeachment when they were transmitted on February 5. He maintains the action was unnecessary and politically damaging.
“Why force the impeachment when nothing would come of it? The Senate won’t take it up until June 2,” Tiangco said. “They pushed it through, and now they blame me for the losses?”
Tiangco also pointed out the lack of public support for the impeachment. “There was no clamor from people to impeach Duterte,” he stated.
Senate President Francis Escudero echoed this assessment, noting that both the impeachment and the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte significantly impacted the midterm election results.
The impeachment trial is set to continue on July 3 with notable additions to the prosecution team. Former senator Leila de Lima and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno will join as prosecutors, bringing what Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong described as “the convergence of moral clarity and legal precision.”
Meanwhile, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro affirmed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s hands-off approach to the proceedings. “The President will not interfere. We are all for the rule of law,” Castro said.
Duterte faces serious accusations including constitutional violations, corruption, misuse of confidential funds, and even alleged conspiracy to assassinate President Marcos. She has filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking to halt the proceedings.
As the political drama unfolds, Duterte has stated she is prepared for whatever outcome awaits her in the Senate trial.
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