Sara Duterte casts vote alone in Davao City
Vice President Sara Duterte fulfilled her civic duty by casting her ballot for the 2025 midterm elections on May 12.
Sara arrived at Daniel R. Aguinaldo High School in Davao City at around 8:34 a.m. She didn't have company as she went there to vote.
Her brothers, Davao City Mayor Baste and Davao City 1st District Rep. Pulong, were assigned to a different precinct. Baste is running for vice mayor, while Pulong is seeking reelection.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile, cannot cast his vote as he's currently detained in The Hague for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court. He's seeking to return as Davao City mayor.
In an interview with the media after voting, Sara expressed high hopes for the candidates of DuterTen, composed of Jimmy Bondoc, Bato Dela Rosa, Bong Go, Jayvee Hinlo, Raul Lambino, Rodante Marcoleta, Richard Mata, Apollo Quiboloy, Vic Rodriguez, and Philip Salvador. Presidential sister Imee Marcos and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar also serve as the slate's guest candidates.
She noted that two candidates from the lineup, whom she didn't name, have good chances of securing Senate seats.
"Hopefully, these two senators, can push for sa sinasabi nating tunay na pagbabago," she said.
Sara said her father also asked her to focus on his ICC case after the polls.
"Kung pwede ko ba daw tutukan 'yung kaso niya," she said. "Sinabi ko naman sa kanya, gagawin ko 'yun. Meron lang kamin mga projects na kailangan gawin sa Office of the Vice President."
On Feb. 5, Sara was impeached by a total of 215 members of the House of Representatives. Around 30 more lawmakers later added their signatures to the complaint, increasing the number to 245. The total membership of the House is 306, which means that at least 102 signatures, or one-third of the lower legislative chamber, are needed for the case to go up to the Senate for trial. In the 24-seat Senate, it needs at least 16 or a two-thirds vote to remove her from office.
The grounds for impeachment included a "series of grave allegations, including conspiracy to assassinate [President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.], large-scale corruption, abuse of public funds, and involvement in extrajudicial killings."
Senate President Chiz Escudero said Sara's impeachment trial will start after Marcos's fourth State of the Nation Address in July.
A successful conviction in an impeachment trial would permanently disqualify anyone from holding public office in the future. If Sara were to resign ahead of a possible conviction, she may still do so.
Voting for the midterm elections started at 5 a.m. for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities, while regular voting hours are observed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Commission on Elections said there were over 68 million registered voters nationwide, higher than the 65.7 million in 2022.
A total of 18,320 national and local positions are up for grabs, including senator, party-list representative, congressman, governor, and mayor.
