[Vantage Point] Time’s up for VP Sara

The inability of South Korea’s law enforcement actors to arrest the country’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol is another glaring example of how blind loyalty could throw a monkey wrench into the lawful exercise of exacting accountability from public figures.

On December 3, 2024, he was impeached for declaring martial law, an act overturned by South Korea’s National Assembly and for which he was stripped of his power. Law enforcers carrying a legal warrant to put Yoon behind bars — only to be thwarted by his loyalists and handpicked security team — surely raises grave and unnerving questions about who really is in command. Former prime minister Han Duck-soo assumed the role of acting president pending the Constitutional Court’s decision on what to do with Yoon.

This incident could be completely alien to South Korea. But for the Philippines, loyalists coming to the rescue of their idols is an all too familiar refrain. Time and again, our country has had to navigate through the difficult task of exercising the supposed long arm of the law in apprehending offending public figures. Self-appointed “Son of God” Pastor Apollo Quiboloy — accused of rape, human trafficking, and other criminal charges in the Philippines and the United States — had thousands of his supporters put their bodies on the line to save their idol.

Idolatry is real and remains an obstacle to progress. The Dutertes — Vice President Sara and her father, former president Rodrigo — benefit from the support of their loyal political base. Although the recent Stratbase-commissioned Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey on the impeachment complaint against the Vice President showed her dwindling support, a considerable number of Filipinos remain loyal.

But for many Filipinos, their cries for accountability, leadership, and justice ring louder than ever before. The fact that 41% of Filipinos support the Vice President’s impeachment is a powerful indictment of her failures and her divisiveness, and the distrust she has sown among Filipinos.

Balance Luzon’s overwhelming support for impeachment (50% in agreement) is a resounding statement. This is not merely about politics. It is about citizens demanding better governance and a leader who prioritizes the nation over personal ambition. In the National Capital Region (NCR), the numbers tell a similar story, with 45% favoring impeachment. These regions, representing the economic and political heartbeat of the Philippines, have made it clear: enough is enough.

Contrast this with Mindanao, where Duterte clings to a fragile support base with 56% opposing impeachment. Let’s be honest. This is not loyalty born of a fulfilled promise of progress or prosperity, but of tribalism and name recognition. The rest of the country should not be held hostage by the parochialism of one region. If Duterte were truly a national leader, her influence would extend beyond her familial stronghold.

The survey’s breakdown by socio-economic class is equally damning. While the wealthier Class ABC shows the strongest support for impeachment at 50%, even the less affluent Class E — those who often bear the brunt of political failures — are divided, with 37% supporting impeachment and 36% opposing. These numbers indicate that Duterte’s leadership has failed to inspire confidence across all sectors of society.

Her opponents must ask: why does she remain in power despite this widespread dissatisfaction? The answer lies not in her accomplishments — of which there are few — but in a lack of accountability mechanisms and a political culture that rewards loyalty over competence.

The undecided and the uninformed

Nineteen percent of respondents remain undecided, while 5% say they need more information. This group is not a sign of strength for Duterte, but a sign of the systemic failure to educate and inform our people about the critical issues at stake. Those who defend Duterte rely on this ignorance, hoping that a confused populace will remain apathetic.

The undecided must understand that impeachment is all about ridding our bloated bureaucracy of divisive characters. It is also about protecting our democracy, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring that the Philippines is not shackled by leaders who view public office as a birthright.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Mindanao’s staunch defense of Duterte is not a testament to her leadership, but a reflection of identity politics at its worst. This unwavering loyalty blinds the region to the reality of Duterte’s failures and isolates Mindanao from the national discourse. Loyalty to a leader should be earned through actual good deeds, not through the inherited brand of bluster and dramatics.

The numbers paint a damning picture, but they also present an opportunity. Forty-one percent of Filipinos — and the number is growing — believe that Sara Duterte is not fit for the office of the vice presidency. For those who agree, now is the time to act. For the undecided, it’s time to learn the truth. And for those who still defend Duterte, ask yourselves: what has she truly done to deserve your support?

It’s about time that we should look for leaders who serve the people, not their own ambitions, while demanding accountability from those who hold the highest offices in the land. Sara Duterte’s tenure as vice president has been marked by controversy, incompetence, and a refusal to take responsibility. The impeachment complaint is not only justified, it is necessary.

We mustn’t shy away from hard truths. The Philippines deserves leaders who uplift, not divide; who build, not destroy; and who inspire hope, not cynicism. If Sara Duterte can’t meet these standards, she has no business being in public office. It is time for her to go. – Rappler.com

Val A. Villanueva is a veteran business journalist. He was a former business editor of the Philippine Star and the Gokongwei-owned Manila Times. For comments, suggestions email him at mvala.v@gmail.com.