Makabayan takes its campaign for Senate seats to Davao

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DAVAO, Philippines – In Lower Arroyo Compound in Talomo, Davao City, residents were surprised to see senatorial candidates roaming their pathways, shaking hands, and handing out leaflets outlining their platforms.

The progressive and independent Makabayan coalition, consisting of party-list representatives and sectoral activists, made a bold move by campaigning in Davao City amid its support for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the city’s former mayor and daughter of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte.

It is the first political group seeking national positions to conduct a campaign in Davao City.

Seven of its senatorial candidates – former Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño, former National Anti-Poverty Commission chair and Gabriela representative Liza Maza, Gabriela Party-list Representative Arlyn Brosas, Kilusang Mayo Uno leader Jerome Adonis, health worker Alyn Andamo, fisherfolk leader Ronel Arambulo, and Moro peace advocate Amirah Ali Lidasan – went around the stronghold of the Dutertes from Friday to Sunday, February 21 to 23.

According to Casiño, Davao City has historically been a stronghold for progressive party lists such as Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Anakpawis, Kabataan, and ACT Teachers in past elections.

Some reactions

Throughout the first day of their house-to-house campaign in the city, the Makabayan bloc experienced minimal negative reactions from Davaoeños, which they hope will translate into votes in the upcoming elections.

But one resident in Talomo outrightly refused to engage with Brosas as she approached her.

“Dili nato botohon kay kalaban nato ni (Don’t vote for her because she is our opponent),” Makabayan volunteers heard her say.

A common call among staunch Duterte supporters, especially on Facebook, is to boycott candidates who supported Sara’s impeachment. This includes Brosas, who was prominently featured in the committee hearing that grilled the vice president on confidential funds and another hearing where former president Duterte was confronted over his role in the war on drugs.

Brosas smiled and moved on. She said, “Okay lang naman sa akin iyon. Ang mahalaga, patuloy pa rin tayo sa pangangampanya. Dito sa Davao, hindi naman lahat ay may parehong reaksyon sa atin.”

(That’s okay with me. What’s important is that we continue our campaign. Not everyone in Davao reacts the same way to us.)

She added, “Normal lamang na ma-encounter namin ang ganitong reaksyon mula sa mga residente ng Davao. Kaya imbes na panghinaan kami ng loob, mas lalo pa kaming magiging pursigido sa pangangampanya upang mas maintindihan nila ang aming layunin.”

(It’s normal to encounter such reactions from Davao residents. Instead of feeling discouraged, we become even more determined to campaign so they can better understand our cause.)

Nestor Rodriguez, a resident of Quezon Boulevard, said he never expected to meet the Makabayan candidates in Davao. He was accustomed to seeing Casiño on television during rallies. Although still undecided about his vote, Rodriguez said, “It’s good to meet some of the candidates and get to know them.”

“Malayo pa ang eleksyon, pero at least may nagpakita na para mangampanya,” he said. 

(The election is still far off, but at least someone has already come to campaign.)

Grassroots campaign

The Makabayan candidates conducted house-to-house visits in communities across Davao City.

In the afternoon, Maza and Adonis campaigned in communities at risk of demolition in Lasang, while Arambulo visited fisherfolk in Bunawan. 

Casiño and Lidasan spent the afternoon engaging with jeepney drivers at terminals in Toril, Matina, Acacia, and Agdao, as well as visiting street vendors in Agdao Public Market.

Meanwhile, Brosas and Andamo attended a forum on women’s health at Assumption College of Davao.

Brosas said, “Wala tayong malaking pondo tulad ng mga tradisyunal na politiko na kayang gumastos nang malaki para sa kampanya. Mas prayoridad natin na makausap nang personal ang mga Dabawenyo upang maipaliwanag nang malinaw ang ating plataporma.” 

(We don’t have huge funds like traditional politicians who can spend heavily on their campaigns. Our priority is to personally engage with Dabawenyos to clearly explain our platform.)

The Makabayan coalition said it was offering voters an independent slate composed of marginalized sectors and activists, in contrast to the dominant parties under the Marcos Jr. administration and Duterte.

As the Marcos and Duterte camps trade accusations of corruption and inefficiency, Makabayan said it was presenting a platform on pro-people policies such as support for farmers and workers, free education and healthcare, environmental protection, and cultural and economic reforms.

The impact of Makabayan candidates was felt in San Roque Village in Bangkal, Talomo, where residents welcomed them with a simple breakfast as they discussed community concerns. The village has won legal rights to its land but continues to face demolition threats.

The Makabayan bloc previously had campaign sorties in General Santos City, Cagayan de Oro City, Cotabato City, and Kabacan City in Cotabato Province. – Rappler.com

This article is republished with permission from Davao Today as part of a content-sharing partnership for the 2025 Philippine elections