CEBU, PHILIPPINES — Four of Cebu’s 14 representatives in the House of Representatives, including partylists, were among the 25 lawmakers who voted against the impeachment of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte during Monday’s plenary proceedings.
The nominal voting took place as the House deliberated on the committee report and Articles of Impeachment endorsed by the committee on justice for plenary approval.
Records showed that Cebu 3rd District Rep. Karen Hope F. Garcia, Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar, Cebu 4th District Rep. Sun Shimura, and Malasakit at Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Girlie Veloso voted “no” to the impeachment complaint.
Other Cebuano lawmakers opted to remain silent when their names were called during the plenary session. These included Cebu 1st District Rep. Rhea Gullas, 2nd District Rep. Edsel Galeos, 5th District Rep. Duke Frasco, 6th District Rep. Daphne Lagon, 7th District Rep. Patricia Calderon, Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Rep. Junard Chan, Mandaue City Lone District Rep. Emmarie Ouano-Dizon, and Cebu City South District Rep. Edu Rama.
Ako Bisaya Party-list Rep. Sonny Lagon and TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza also did not verbally declare their votes.
As of 7 p.m. Monday, it remained unclear whether their silence would be officially recorded as abstentions or affirmative votes, pending clarification from House records.
House Justice Committee Chairperson Gerville Luistro sponsored Committee Report No. 261 and House Resolution No. 989, which contained the Articles of Impeachment against the vice president.
The impeachment complaint was backed by 257 of the 318 lawmakers, surpassing the one-third vote required for the case to proceed to trial in the Senate. Twenty-five lawmakers voted against the measure, while nine abstained.
Del Mar explained her opposition during the plenary session, saying her vote reflected the position of her constituents.
“The will of my constituents is clear. The City of Cebu, 1st District. During the 19th Congress, it was a no and for the 20th Congress, it still remains a no. Thank you, Mister Speaker,” Del Mar said.
Veloso, meanwhile, described impeachment as an “extraordinary constitutional remedy” that must be exercised with prudence, fairness, and full respect for due process.
“In a democracy, the mandate given by the people deserves due consideration and respect,” Veloso said, noting that Duterte was elected by 32.2 million Filipinos.
She added that amid pressing national concerns such as rising living costs, food security, employment, and public safety, government institutions should focus on urgent public needs rather than prolonged political conflict.
According to Veloso, her vote reflected her belief that the country is best served through “stability, responsible governance, and unity of purpose,” adding that leaders should work collectively toward meaningful solutions for ordinary Filipinos.
Shimura, in an interview with The Freeman Monday night, said he voted against the impeachment after consulting with his constituents.
He has consistently maintained that the government should prioritize more pressing national concerns instead of pursuing impeachment proceedings.
Governor’s daughter denies lobbying claims
Political tensions also spilled over online after Capitol public health consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan denied accusations linking her mother, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, to alleged efforts to influence Cebu lawmakers to support the impeachment complaint.
Social media posts had claimed that the governor was persuading Cebu congressmen to vote in favor of impeaching the vice president.
Baricuatro rejected the allegations, stressing that her focus remains on governance.
“My responsibility is to lead the development of Cebu, not to meddle in legislative processes,” the governor said.
Catalan echoed her mother’s statement, insisting that no such lobbying efforts took place.
“Let me address you directly — I swear with my own life no such calls were made. How dare some make insinuations that Gov is ‘convincing’ Cebu congressmen and women to have the VP impeached? What proof do you have even? Grabe ra sad kaayo inyong panaot. Sobra na pud kaayo,” Catalan said in a social media post.
She added that the governor has been fully occupied with administrative responsibilities and public service commitments since assuming office.
Catalan also claimed that her mother has been subjected to repeated online attacks and criticism from what she described as troll farms, but continues to focus on her duties.
“As VP Inday is standing up for her father, I am standing up for my mother. Enough of your false narratives!” she added.
| Written by Jonnavie Villa & Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/FPL
