Wazzup Pilipinas!?
In a political move that has sent shockwaves across the country, the House of Representatives has initiated impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, with 215 out of 318 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. However, what has drawn just as much attention is the 93 representatives who chose not to sign—raising questions about political loyalties, ambitions, and strategies within the lower chamber.
The 93 Lawmakers: Who Are They?
The list of lawmakers who did not sign the impeachment complaint spans multiple regions, including Mindanao, Visayas, Luzon, NCR, and various party lists. Notably, in Davao Region, widely considered the Duterte family's stronghold, only Davao del Sur Representative John Tracy Cagas signed the complaint, while the remaining 10 lawmakers from the area opted out.
Here's the comprehensive list by region:
MINDANAO REPRESENTATIVES:
Corvera, Dale B. (Agusan Del Norte, 2nd District)
Rodriguez, Rufus B. (Cagayan De Oro, 2nd District)
Zubiri, Jose Maria Jr. (Bukidnon, 3rd District)
Sakaluran, Princess Rihan (Sultan Kudarat, 1st District)
Suansing, Horacio Jr. (Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District)
Caoagdan, Rudy S., DPA (Cotabato, 2nd District)
Dimaporo, Mohamad Khalid Q. (Lanao Del Norte, 1st District)
Hataman, Mujiv S. (Basilan, Lone District)
Almario, Cheeno Miguel D. (Davao Oriental, 2nd District)
Gonzaga, Ruwel Peter (Davao De Oro, 2nd District)
Alvarez, Pantaleon D. (Davao Del Norte, 1st District)
Dujali, Alan "Aldu" R. (Davao Del Norte, 2nd District)
Duterte, Paolo Z. (City Of Davao, 1st District)
Garcia, Vincent J. (City Of Davao, 2nd District)
Ungab, Isidro T. (City Of Davao, 3rd District)
Bautista, Claude (Davao Occidental, Lone District)
VISAYAS REPRESENTATIVES:
Benitez, Francisco "Kiko" B. (Negros Occidental, 3rd District)
Yulo, Emilio Bernardino (Negros Occidental, 5th District)
Legarda, Antonio Jr. B. (Antique, Lone District)
Tan, Stephen James T. (Samar 1st District)
Tan, Reynolds Michael T. (Samar, 2nd District)
Gomez, Richard - Leyte (Leyte, 4th District)
Cari, Carl Nicolas C. (Leyte, 5th District)
Del Mar, Rachel Marguerite B. (City Of Cebu, 1st District)
Garcia, Pablo John F. (Cebu, 3rd District)
LUZON REPRESENTATIVES:
Revilla, Ramon Jolo III B. (Cavite, 1st District)
Mercado-Revilla, Lani (Cavite, 2nd District)
Advincula, Adrian Jay C. (Cavite, 3rd District)
Alonte, Marlyn "Len" B. (City Of Biñan, Lone District)
Duavit, Michael John R. (Rizal, 1st District)
Tanjuatco, Emigdio III (Rizal, 2nd District)
Garcia, Jose Arturo Jr. S. (Rizal, 3rd District)
Bolilia, Lianda B. (Batangas, 4th District)
Velasco, Lord Allan Jay (Marinduque, Lone District)
Umali, Alfonso Jr. (Oriental Mindoro, 2nd District)
Alvarez, Jose C. (Palawan, 2nd District)
Cua, Midy N. (Quirino, Lone District)
Kho, Ricardo T. (Masbate, 1st District)
Kho, Olga "Ara" T. (Masbate, 2nd District)
Kho, Wilton "Tonton" T. (Masbate, 3rd District)
Salceda, Joey Sarte (Albay, 2nd District)
Panotes, Rosemarie Conejos (Camarines Norte, 2nd District)
Escudero, Marie Bernadette G. (Sorsogon, 1st District)
Rodriguez, Eulogio R. (Catanduanes, Lone District)
Barba, Angelo Marcos (Ilocos Norte, 2nd District)
Yap, Eric Go (Benguet, Lone District)
Nolasco, Ramon Jr. C. (Cagayan, 1st District)
Albano, Antonio "Tonypet" T. (Isabela, 1st District)
Dy, Ian Paul L. (Isabela, 3rd District)
Celeste, Arthur F. (Pangasinan, 1st District)
Guico, Ramon Jr. N. (Pangasinan, 5th District)
Yap, Christian Tell A. (Tarlac, 2nd District)
Rivera, Noel "Bong" N. (Tarlac, 3rd District)
Macapagal-Arroyo, Gloria (Pampanga, 2nd District)
Vergara, Rosanna "Ria" (Nueva Ecija 3rd District)
NCR (NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION) REPRESENTATIVES:
Campos, Luis Jr. N. (City Of Makati, 2nd District)
Lacson-Noel, Josephine Veronique R. (Malabon, Lone District)
Maceda, Edward Vera Perez (City Of Manila, 4th District)
Martinez, Eric M. (City Of Valenzuela, 2nd District)
Peña, Romulo "Kid" Jr. (City Of Makati, 1st District)
Tiangco, Tobias "Toby" (City Of Navotas, Lone District)
Villar, Camille (City Of Las Piñas, Lone District)
PARTY LIST REPRESENTATIVES:
Nograles-Almario, Margarita (PBA)
Padiernos, Jose Gay G. (GP PARTY)
Revilla, Bryan B. (AGIMAT)
Romero, Michael (1-PACMAN)
Salo, Ron P. (KABAYAN)
Singson, Richelle (AKO ILOCANO AKO)
Tamayo, Reynaldo (ANGAT)
Tanchay, Caroline (SAGIP)
Tan-Tambut, Shernee (KUSUG TAUSUG)
Tulfo, Erwin T. (ACT-CIS)
Verzosa, Samuel Jr. (TUTOK TO WIN)
Villanueva, Eduardo (CIBAC)
Yamsuan, Brian Raymund (BICOL SARO)
Yap, Edvic G. (ACT-CIS)
Bautista-Lim, Claudine Diana D. (DUMPER-PTDA)
Bosita, Bonifacio L. (1-RIDER PARTYLIST)
Cardema, Drixie Mae S. (DUTERTE YOUTH)
Co, Elizaldy S. (AKO BICOL)
Delos Santos, Alfred C. (ANG PROBINSYANO)
Enciso, Nicolas VIII C. (BICOL SARO)
Estrella, Robert Raymund M. (ABONO)
Fariñas, Rudys Caesar I G. (PROBINSYANO AKO)
Golez, Anthony Rolando Jr. T. (MALASAKIT@BAYANIHAN)
Gonzalez, Sandro L. (MARINO)
Herrera, Bernadette (BH - Bagong Henerasyon)
Lacson, Virgilio S. (Manila Teachers)
Lee, Wilbert "Manoy" T. (AGRI)
Marcoleta, Rodante D. (SAGIP)
These representatives are from various regions and party-lists across the Philippines who did not sign the impeachment motion against Vice President Sara Duterte. Many of them represent key districts and regions, particularly with strong representation from Mindanao, where the Duterte family has traditionally held significant political influence.
In the Davao Region, considered the stronghold of the Duterte family, only Davao del Sur Representative John Tracy Cagas endorsed the impeachment complaint. The remaining 10 representatives from the region did not sign, highlighting regional loyalty and political alliances.
Reasons Behind the Abstention
The decision not to sign the impeachment complaint stems from various factors:
Political Alliances and Family Ties: Lawmakers with close political or familial connections to the Duterte family may have chosen to abstain to maintain these relationships.
Political Aspirations: Those with ambitions for higher office, such as potential Senate candidates, might have opted to avoid taking a definitive stance that could alienate certain voter bases.
Lack of Information: Reports indicate that some Duterte allies were not informed about the caucus where the impeachment was discussed, potentially leading to their non-participation.
Official Statements and Reactions
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has distanced himself and the executive branch from the impeachment proceedings, stating that the executive cannot have a role in the impeachment process.
Members of the prosecution panel have denied allegations that financial incentives were offered to lawmakers to endorse the complaint, emphasizing that their decision was based on the merits of the case.
The impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte have underscored the complex web of political alliances, familial ties, and individual aspirations within the Philippine House of Representatives. The decision of 93 lawmakers to abstain from signing the complaint reflects the nuanced considerations
Here’s the regional breakdown of the legislators who refrained from endorsing the impeachment complaint:
Mindanao Representatives
The majority of Mindanao lawmakers who abstained are from areas with strong Duterte influence. These include:
Davao City Representatives: Paolo Duterte (1st District), Vincent Garcia (2nd District), and Isidro Ungab (3rd District)
Davao Occidental Representative: Claude Bautista
Davao del Norte Representatives: Pantaleon Alvarez (1st District) and Alan "Aldu" Dujali (2nd District)
These names are particularly significant given their close political ties to the Duterte family.
Visayas Representatives
Some notable lawmakers from the Visayas who didn’t sign include:
Cebu Representatives: Pablo John Garcia (3rd District) and Rachel Marguerite Del Mar (1st District of Cebu City)
Leyte Representative: Richard Gomez (4th District)
Luzon Representatives
In Luzon, key political figures who abstained include:
Cavite Representatives: Ramon "Jolo" Revilla III (1st District), Lani Mercado-Revilla (2nd District), and Adrian Jay Advincula (3rd District)
Batangas Representative: Lianda Bolilia (4th District)
Marinduque Representative: Lord Allan Jay Velasco
Palawan Representative: Jose Alvarez (2nd District)
Nueva Ecija Representative: Rosanna "Ria" Vergara (3rd District)
Pampanga Representative: Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District)
Arroyo’s decision to abstain is particularly noteworthy, considering her longstanding influence in Philippine politics.
NCR Representatives
A few key names from Metro Manila who didn’t sign include:
Luis Campos Jr. (Makati, 2nd District)
Camille Villar (Las Piñas, Lone District)
Edward Maceda (Manila, 4th District)
Their abstention signals a divide even within urban political circles.
Party List Representatives
Several influential party-list representatives also opted not to sign, including:
Rodante Marcoleta (SAGIP)
Erwin Tulfo (ACT-CIS)
Bryan Revilla (AGIMAT)
Bonifacio Bosita (1-RIDER)
Why Did These Lawmakers Abstain?
Several factors likely influenced the decision of these lawmakers to stay on the sidelines rather than take a clear stance:
1. Political Alliances and Family Ties
Many lawmakers who did not sign have long-standing political relationships with the Duterte family. Some have benefited from alliances with the Duterte camp and may have abstained to avoid political fallout in their constituencies.
2. Personal Political Ambitions
Some lawmakers are rumored to be considering higher office in 2025 or 2028, including possible Senate bids. Supporting or opposing the impeachment of VP Duterte could impact their future voter base and influence in national politics.
3. Loyalty to the Marcos-Duterte Political Alliance
While the Marcos and Duterte factions have had tensions, many lawmakers from both camps prefer not to take sides publicly to keep the alliance intact—or at least avoid outright hostilities.
4. Lack of Information or Internal House Dynamics
Reports suggest that some Duterte allies were not informed about the impeachment caucus or were excluded from the process, potentially leading to their non-participation.
What’s Next? The Road Ahead for the Impeachment Case
Marcos Administration's Stand
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has distanced himself from the proceedings, stating that the executive branch has no role in impeachment matters. This strategic neutrality could help preserve his administration's alliances with both his own allies and those of VP Duterte.
Allegations of Political Deals
Some opposition voices have suggested that lawmakers were offered incentives to support the impeachment, but members of the prosecution panel vehemently deny such claims, insisting that their decision is based solely on the merits of the case.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Philippine Politics
The impeachment complaint against VP Sara Duterte has exposed deep fault lines within Philippine politics, highlighting:
✅ The enduring influence of the Duterte family, especially in Mindanao
✅ The growing factionalism in the House of Representatives
✅ The shifting political landscape ahead of the 2025 midterm elections
With 93 lawmakers choosing to abstain, the battle lines are far from clear. Their reasons for not signing range from loyalty, strategy, and self-preservation, making this impeachment process one of the most politically charged in recent history.
As the hearings progress, Wazzup Pilipinas will continue to monitor and analyze how this unprecedented move reshapes the future of Philippine politics.
The numbers are in—who stood where? Stay tuned for more updates at WazzupPilipinas.com
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
