Public told: Be wary of pro-Sara running senators

Administration lawmakers reminded the voting public on Thursday to be wary of Senate candidates who exploit the campaign season to openly court voters to save Vice President Sara Duterte from being convicted by the Senate impeachment court.

House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega, and Assistant Majority Leader and Manila Rep. Ernesto Dionisio said in a briefing that political parties should make use of the campaign period to present platforms that will benefit the country, rather than seeking votes solely to protect Duterte’s political interests.

"The basis of their entire campaign is to add more numbers to help the Vice President. And you can see with the other candidates, they show off their platforms to the people," Ortega said in Filipino. "The public should be focused on the platform, not just protecting someone's interest."

Dionisio, in the same vein, noted that those vying for a Senate seat must tackle relevant national issues and warned the public about pro-China politicians.

“What is the proper basis? Is it because of a person or for our country? At the end of the day, those we elect must be pro-Philippines,” he stated.

The lawmakers’ remarks were in reaction to the recent statement of PDP-Laban, urging voters to "choose wisely" when electing senators, as they will ultimately decide Vice President Duterte’s fate in the impeachment trial.

"At the end of the day, impeachment is a numbers game, and the more allies she has in the Senate, the better for our country," the party said in a statement on its official Facebook page.

The once-ruling PDP-Laban is headed by the VP’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and is composed of their prominent allies, including Senators Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa and Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go.

Last week, the House of Representatives impeached VP Duterte on allegations of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. 

The Senate, which will seat as impeachment court, is expected to try her in late July or when the 20th Congress convenes.

The upper House must secure a two-thirds majority vote, requiring at least 16 of the 24 sitting senators to convict and remove Duterte from office. 

If convicted, this would derail her presidential ambitions in the 2028 elections, since she will be permanently disqualified from holding any public office in the future.