Raising stakes: PDP Laban threatens blacklist over Sara Duterte impeach vote

MANILA, Philippines — PDP Laban is turning Monday's impeachment vote into a loyalty test for lawmakers.

In a statement Sunday, May 10, the party warned that legislators who vote to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte would be barred from running under the PDP banner and could face challengers backed by the party in their districts.

The party, led by Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, declared its "firm and principled opposition" to what it described as the "politically driven impeachment" of the vice president.

"Those who vote for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte cannot expect political refuge in PDP," the party said.

"They will not be allowed to cross over to the party. They will be blacklisted from running under the PDP banner. And where necessary, PDP will field and support a competitive candidate in their district," it added.

Party line 

PDP Laban framed the impeachment proceedings as a partisan effort to sideline Duterte, who earlier declared her plan to run as president, ahead of the 2028 elections.

"It appears less like a sincere pursuit of accountability and more like a calculated political maneuver aimed at 2028 and beyond," the party said.

Without addressing the impeachment allegations, including questions over confidential funds and bank transactions flagged during congressional hearings, PDP Laban argued that public officials who support the impeachment should face political consequences.

"This is not a threat. This is political accountability," the party said.

The party also said it would not serve as "a shelter for officials who participate in what we view as a partisan attempt to overturn the will of more than 32 million Filipinos who elected Vice President Sara Duterte."

Vote set Monday

The statement came ahead of Monday's plenary deliberations and voting at the House of Representatives on whether to impeach Duterte.

Her legal team has said the vice president and her counsels will monitor the proceedings remotely instead of attending in person.

PDP Laban said it opposes the "weaponization of impeachment for political elimination."

"No refuge. No party endorsement. No PDP banner for those who betray the people's mandate," it said. — with report from John Marwin Elao