As the House of Representatives prepares to vote on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, May 11, 2026, a nationwide call from religious leaders and lawmakers has emerged urging her to personally face a possible Senate trial. In Cebu, a lawmaker has turned to his constituents for guidance before casting his vote.
Frasco Seeks Constituent Input
Cebu 5th District Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco announced on his Facebook page on Thursday, May 7, that he has begun meeting with local leaders, supporters, and residents to determine how he should vote on the articles of impeachment. He met with barangay captains in Liloan to hear the views of residents within their respective jurisdictions. The meeting included Liloan Mayor Aljew Frasco, his cousin, as they discussed the upcoming vote.
Frasco emphasized that his consultations would not be limited to Liloan officials, as the Fifth District also includes Danao City and the municipalities of Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, Sogod, and Tudela. The lawmaker, who is the husband of former tourism secretary Christina Frasco, said the sentiments of his constituents would guide his final decision in the House of Representatives.
Religious Leaders Call for Transparency
The InterReligious Leaders’ Council for National Transformation (ILCNT) urged the National Government and the public to support a transparent trial process. ILCNT convenor Bishop Colin Bagaforo said accountability is the foundation of public trust and should not be viewed as political harassment or destabilization. He stressed that the constitutional process must proceed to allow evidence to be examined fairly.
Survey Shows Public Demand for VP's Presence
A Tangere mobile-based survey conducted on May 5-6 among 1,200 respondents revealed that 82 percent of Filipinos believe Duterte should personally attend the Senate proceedings rather than relying only on her legal team. Additionally, 60 percent of respondents wanted the Vice President’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, to face scrutiny over conjugal assets and shared legal interests.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre cited the survey, noting that 90 percent of respondents want Duterte to appear before the Senate. Adiong said the results were expected, as the public wants the Vice President to address allegations involving P612.5 million in confidential funds and P6.77 billion in suspicious transactions.
Impeachment Grounds and Next Steps
The House Committee on Justice found probable cause to impeach the Vice President on April 29, referring four articles of impeachment to the plenary. These articles accuse Duterte of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, corruption, and other high crimes. Specific allegations include misuse of confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education (DepEd), as well as alleged cash payments to DepEd officials.
The House plenary is expected to vote on the articles of impeachment on Monday. Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, chairperson of the House Committee on Justice, said the date allows members sufficient time to study the committee report and resolution. At least 106 lawmakers, representing one-third of the 318 House members, must vote in favor of the articles to transmit the case to the Senate for trial. Duterte has denied all wrongdoing, describing the effort as politically motivated.
SunStar Cebu reached out to other lawmakers on Friday, but they refused to issue a statement. Meanwhile, civil society groups echoed the call for a trial, believing the constitutional process should proceed to allow evidence to be examined fairly. Acidre said the public is looking for direct answers from the Vice President regarding the allegations laid out during the clarificatory hearings of the House Committee on Justice.
