VP Sara Duterte unlikely to have fair impeachment trial from potential 2028 rivals —Lambino

PDP Laban senatorial candidate Raul Lambino on Tuesday expressed concern that Vice President Sara Duterte might not receive a fair judgment from an impeachment court with senators likely to be her rivals in the 2028 elections.

Lambino, who previously served in the Cabinet of the Duterte administration, pointed out that based on surveys, Sara Duterte and an incumbent senator are the top two presidential bets for the 2028 polls.

He also noted that two more incumbent senators attempted to run for presidency in 2016, but eventually decided to run for the vice presidency. 

Meanwhile, two former lawmakers seeking a Senate comeback also ran for President in 2022. 

Lambino also floated the possibility of another incumbent senator running for president or vice president come 2028.

“Let’s face it. Many senators have their sights set on the presidency in 2028, and they see the Vice President as a major obstacle to their political ambitions,” Lambino said in a statement.

“These senators stand to benefit politically if the Vice President is unfairly removed from the race through disqualification from holding public office,” he added.

GMA News Online sought comment from several incumbent and former senators and will update this story with their response. 

In January, Duterte said that she was already “seriously considering” running in the 2028 presidential elections.

A month later, she was impeached by the House of Representatives, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the fourth impeachment complaint against her.

Senate President Francis Escudero earlier released the initial timetable for procedures related to the impeachment trial of Duterte, setting the tentative start of the trial on July 30.

Duterte has filed a Supreme Court petition challenging the validity and constitutionality of the fourth impeachment complaint against her.  

In another development, reelectionist Senator Bong Go urged government workers to stay committed to their duties but remain cautious of the extreme heat, warning against heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses.

“Mahirap nang tamaan ng heat stroke o iba pang karamdaman dulot ng matinding init ng panahon,” Go reminded, following PAGASA’s heat index advisories. He emphasized the importance of public service while prioritizing health.

Speaking at a gathering of barangay officials from Antique in Iloilo, Go thanked local leaders for prioritizing public health in their communities.

Prior to this, he also attended the Liga ng mga Barangay - Antique Provincial Congress at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel in Iloilo City. 

Go reaffirmed his commitment to supporting projects that benefit Antique and discussed his proposed bills aimed at empowering barangay leaders to better serve their communities. He assured local officials that, if given the chance to continue his service, he would remain dedicated to his advocacy of public service. 

Former executive secretary and senatorial candidate Atty. Vic Rodriguez raised concerns over the Philippines' growing national debt, which has now reached P16.31 trillion.

In a live discussion on his Facebook page, he urged Filipinos to scrutinize government spending and elect responsible leaders in the upcoming May 2025 elections.

“Nasa P16.31 trillion na ang utang ng Pilipinas—napakalaking pera. Laging deficit ang national government. Laging kapos sa kita, sa revenue, sa collection ng national government,” Rodriguez stressed during his Facebook lice. 

He explained that taxpayers ultimately bear the burden of debt servicing, as government funds come from income taxes, businesses, and other economic activities.

Rodriguez also criticized the lack of transparency in the budgeting process, citing the inclusion of "blank items" in the 2025 national budget. 

He warned that if the government continues to spend beyond its means, the country’s debt will only continue to rise. “We cannot allow the government and the people running our government to spend more than what we earn… Paulit-ulit nating magiging problema at paulit-ulit tataas ng tataas ang ating national debt,” he said.

Rodriguez also called for greater transparency and accountability in government spending. “Humihingi tayo ng listahan ng mga pangalan [ng technical working group]… At nung tayo humihingi ng listahan, ayaw naman nilang magbigay. Siguro natauhan sila, narealize nila, inilalaglag nila ang kanilang mga matitinong empleyado,” he revealed.

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa vowed to refile his bill seeking the reimposition of the death penalty for high-level drug traffickers if reelected, citing a rise in heinous crimes.

Dela Rosa highlighted recent brutal incidents, including the kidnapping of a Chinese student in Taguig and drug-related killings in Cebu, as proof of the need for harsher penalties. He stressed that a "firm iron-hand approach" is necessary to combat illegal drugs.

The former PNP chief also claimed that foreign drug lords exploit the Philippines due to the absence of capital punishment. Since 2019, he has consistently pushed for its revival as a deterrent to crime. 

Senatorial candidate Jayvee Hinlo expressed gratitude via Facebook post after spotting his campaign tarpaulin in Bacolod City, courtesy of the Ang Bombero ng Pilipinas (ABP) Partylist.

Hinlo, who brands himself as the "Senador ng Visayas," acknowledged the challenges of running a nationwide campaign with limited resources. 

Pediatrician and Duterte supporter Dr. Richard Mata believes social media is the key to changing Philippine politics, offering equal opportunities to candidates without deep pockets.

"Ang politika sa Pilipinas ay walang equal opportunity. Kahit magaling ka o matalino ka, napakaliit ng chance na manalo ka. Pera ang nagdadala," Mata said in a Facebook post, pointing out how traditional campaigns favor those who can afford TV ads, billboards, and vote-buying.

He sees social media as the solution, saying, "Sa social media, pwede kang makilala kahit wala kang TV ads or billboards." 

Mata predicts a future where digital platforms will empower new leaders: "I imagine a new Philippines na may mga bagong leaders na magsusulputan. It will happen."

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite. —Giselle Ombay/Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News