Tarpaulin of Cong. Cagas Torn Down by Davao Residents Over Sara Duterte’s Impeachment Vote
TRACY CAGAS – The lone lawmaker from the Davao region who voted for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, is facing strong backlash from his constituents.
Several residents of Davao del Sur expressed their disappointment, with some even tearing down Cagas’ tarpaulin, as seen in a video from Brigada News Davao. Many supporters of the Vice President criticized him on social media, questioning why he did not consult the people before making his decision.
One netizen wrote, “You should have consulted your constituents. That’s a wrong move sir. No votes for you and for all members of the Cagas family. You represent Davao del Sur.” Another shared, “I am ashamed of congressman cages voting for your impeachment. His vote does not represent his entire constituency. He may have betrayed you but we, davsuranan support you all the way! naulaw ko nga ako taga davao del sur. Our apologies.”
As of now, Cagas has not issued a statement explaining his decision. His vote stands out, especially since the Davao region is a known Duterte stronghold. Twelve other lawmakers from the area refused to support the impeachment complaint, including PBA Partylist Representative Margarita Nograles, a known political rival of Duterte.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives officially impeached Vice President Sara Duterte on February 5, 2025, with 215 members voting in favor—surpassing the required 102 signatures to move the case to the Senate for trial. The impeachment was led by Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, the son of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Duterte’s impeachment stemmed from allegations of financial mismanagement, particularly regarding the misuse of P775 million in confidential funds for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
The impeachment process began in December 2024 when civil society groups, religious organizations, and former lawmakers filed three separate complaints, later backed by political groups and activists. Despite opposition, the House proceeded with the vote, marking a historic political shift as the case moves to the Senate.