Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers dismissed claims that the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte hurt Alyansa candidates in Mindanao, calling such assertions misleading. He pointed to the reelection of 36 out of 44 Mindanao lawmakers who supported the impeachment, showing an 81.8% success rate.
Barbers argued that Mindanao voters rewarded performance and integrity over fear-based narratives or political loyalty. He said the strong local election results prove that voters differentiated between national controversies and local governance.
Several lawmakers who backed the impeachment, including representatives from Lanao del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Cotabato, and Bukidnon, all retained their seats, according to Barbers.
He attributed Alyansa’s poor Senate showing to weak national messaging and campaign machinery rather than fallout from the impeachment complaint, adding that winning Senate races requires more than just political alignment.
Barbers concluded that Mindanaoans showed discernment by supporting lawmakers who stood by constitutional principles, proving that holding high officials accountable is not political suicide but a sign of leadership.