Vice President Sara Duterte (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILABULLETIN)

Vice President Sara Duterte is on "survival" mode.

Such was the gist of statements from House "Young Guns" bloc member La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V and Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong on Sunday, April 20, as they commented on the lady official's change in tune when it comes to endorsing 2025 mid-term election bets.

Ortega, a deputy majority leader; and Adiong, an assistant majority leader, both said they weren't surprised by the Vice President's about-face, given her impending Senate impeachment trial.

The impeached Vice President, who previously said she would not endorse any candidate in the 2025 senatorial race, recently lent her support to at least two senatorial candidates.

It should be noted that the senators will serve as the judges in Duterte’s impeachment trial. In short, her fate is in their hands.

“It’s clear that endorsements at this point are no longer just about principles or platforms. They’re about alliances, about survival,” Ortega said.

Ortega reminded public officials to remain consistent with their words and actions to champion people’s interests. “We understand the context, but consistency also matters, especially when the public is watching."

The La Union solon also urged the Senate to conduct the impeachment trial fairly and without influence from political affiliations or recent statements.

“Let’s give justice a chance to be served without unnecessary noise or maneuvering,” Ortega said.

For his part, Adiong said of Vice President Duterte: "It’s not surprising that she changed her tune on endorsing candidates. Given the context of the upcoming Senate trial, one can reasonably infer that she’s now building bridges where she once kept her distance."

Adiong says that while the Vice President is entitled to her political decisions, the timing of her actions raises eyebrows.

“We respect her prerogative. But we cannot ignore the tidming and the possible implications of these moves, especially when they shift from neutrality to active endorsement," he noted.

Adiong says that what’s notable is not just the endorsement itself, but the shift in tone. “A public official’s word carries weight. When that word shifts for strategic reasons, it naturally invites scrutiny."

According to the Mindanaoan, it’s now more important than ever for the Senate to demonstrate impartiality and institutional independence in handling the impeachment trial.

“The credibility of our democratic institutions is on the line. The Senate must show that it can rise above political tides and deliver a verdict grounded in truth and constitutional duty,” Adiong said.