Davao City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang praised lawmakers who opposed the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, describing their stance as a demonstration of political maturity and sensitivity to public opinion. During his privilege speech at the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Dayanghirang expressed gratitude to the congressmen who voted against the impeachment motion in the House of Representatives.
Recognition of Minority Stand
“We Dabawenyos appreciate these people who voted no on the proposed determination of probable cause that the matter of impeachment be brought to the Senate,” Dayanghirang stated. He acknowledged that while the majority decision prevailed, the minority position deserved respect. “Although the majority wins, we respect the minority, and we accept defeat,” he added, noting that many residents of the Davao Region held the lawmakers who opposed impeachment in high regard.
Impeachment Details
On May 11, 2026, the House of Representatives impeached Duterte after 255 lawmakers voted to adopt House Resolution 989 and Committee Report 261, which contained the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President. Twenty-six lawmakers voted against the impeachment, while nine abstained. This marked the first time in Philippine history that an official has been impeached twice.
The complaints against Duterte stemmed from allegations involving misuse of confidential funds, abuse of authority, and betrayal of public trust. Duterte served as Education secretary from 2022 until her resignation from the Cabinet in July 2024.
Lawmakers Who Voted Against Impeachment
Among those who voted against the impeachment were Bohol Representatives Maria Vanessa Aumentado and Kristine Alexie Tutor; General Santos Representative Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles; Cavite Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga; Agusan del Norte Representative Dale Corvera; and Davao Oriental Representative Nelson Dayanghirang. Also voting no were Cebu representatives Rachel Marguerite Del Mar, Karen Hope Garcia, Sun Shimura, and Pablo John Garcia; Davao City's Paolo Duterte, Omar Duterte, and Isidro Ungab; Laguna's Ramil Hernandez; Batangas's Leandro Legarda Leviste; South Cotabato's Isidro Lumayag; Southern Leyte's Roger Mercado; Bukidnon's Laarni Roque; and Quezon City's Jesus Suntay. Party-list representatives who voted no included Harold Duterte of PPP, Rolando Macasaet of SSS-GSIS, Paolo Marcoleta of SAGIP, Robert Nazal of BH, Richelle Singson of Ako Ilokano Ako, Girlie Veloso of Malasakit at Bayanihan, and Julius Cesar Vergara of Nueva Ecija.
