The impeachment complaint has divided West Negros, leaving officials silent

The impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte has sparked a backlash in Negros Occidental, dividing people into pro- and anti-Duterte camps. But there is deafening silence among local officials.

BACOLOD, Philippines – Before the ink was dry on the the first impeachment complaint against Vice President Sarah Duterte, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has already advised his fellow local officials: stay away.

“If we take sides, it will be a problem. Let’s just focus on working for the betterment of our respective communities,” Lacson said on Thursday, November 28, warning against the political maelstrom currently engulfing the country.

True to his stance, Lacson remained silent for two days after a coalition of civil society groups filed a complaint in the House of Representatives on Monday, December 2.

The Western Negros political scene is dominated by allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Federal Party of the Philippines (PFP). However, many officials maintain quiet ties to Duterte, indicating a precarious balance between loyalty and pragmatism.

Historically, Negros Occidental has been staunchly aligned with the opposition, supporting former Vice President Leni Robredo in her 2016 and 2022 campaigns. But the 2022 elections flipped the script as the Marcos-Duterte tandem swept to victory, shifting political allegiances across the province.

The impeachment complaint has sparked a backlash among many Negro Occidental groups, dividing them into pro- and anti-Duterte camps. But there is deafening silence among local officials.

“No one will dare to comment,” said Bacolod lawyer Cesar Beloria. “For them it is a matter of political survivalwith the 2025 midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race approaching.”

Beloria said the hesitancy stems from the belief that Duterte is likely to succeed Marcos Jr. in 2028.

“Nobody wants to push someone away who could very well be the next president,” he said.

“It’s about responsibility”

For now, West Negros leaders are treading carefully, opting to let Congress wrestle with the issue while they focus on staying afloat in an increasingly unpredictable political landscape.

Although polarization has become evident in the province, some ordinary citizens have expressed apathy and confusion over the move to remove Duterte through impeachment proceedings.

“Whoever is in power, we remain poor,” said Eddy, a market vendor in Silay, a town belonging to Negros Occidental.

Junjun Terise, a 29-year-old mall security guard, told Rappler that he did not understand what the impeachment was about, but he said he was confident that Duterte would run for president in 2028.

“Impeachment is a political process by nature,” said former Negros Occidental Governor Rafael Coscolluela.

Coscolluela said Duterte really needs to account for public funds allegedly misused by her office, given her reluctance to directly answer questions during congressional investigation.

“Such abuses cannot go unpunished or the government will lose whatever credibility it still had,” said Coscolluela, head of the 1Sambayan group in Negros Occidental.

However, he called on senators to act independently and responsibly if the complaint reaches the Senate.

Coscolluela also said the burden of resolving the political crisis rests heavily on Marcos Jr.

“The quality of political leadership will determine where the country goes from here,” Coscolluela added. “Let them know: they’re suing too.”

Contrasting views

Joshua Villalobos, head of the Negrosanon Initiative on Climate and Environment (NICE), echoed the calls for accountability, citing Duterte’s controversial remarksincluding death threats against Marcos Jr., his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez, as well as corruption charges plaguing the office of the vice president.

“It is the responsibility of our legislators to begin and complete the process of removing a government official who violates our fiscal responsibility laws,” said environmentalist Romana de los Reyes.

Venny Sancho, general secretary of the General Workers Alliance (GAWA), called the filing of the impeachment complaint a critical moment.

“The fat has been thrown away. So let the games begin,” he said, while warning that the process could overshadow pressing issues affecting marginalized sectors, including poverty reduction and labor rights.

The transportation group Bacolod Alliance for Commuters, Operators, Drivers, Incorporated (BACOD) opposed the impeachment, and its president, Rudy Catedral, called Duterte a “fighter for the poor” and their likely ally against the government’s modernization of public transport vehicles. program. Ironically, the controversial policy was initiated during the presidency of Duterte’s father, Rodrigo.

Frank Carbon, executive director of the Metro Bacolod Chamber and Industry (MBCCI), said he doubts the impending impeachment process will affect the country’s economy.

“There is no reason to panic unless the president is impeached,” Carbone said. – Rappler.com