Ex-Vice Mayor Bernie Al-ag Challenges Duterte Stronghold in Davao

Can Davao City break free from the Duterte dynasty? Former Vice Mayor Bernie Al-ag’s mayoral bid offers a glimpse of hope for change in the long-entrenched political landscape.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – In the southern Philippine stronghold long dominated by the Duterte political dynasty, a rare but growing opposition is beginning to rise. Once considered allies of the formidable clan, some of Davao City’s seasoned political players are now stepping out of the Duterte shadow — and into the arena.

One such figure is former Davao City vice mayor Bernie Al-ag, who is mounting a bold challenge against incumbent Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte in the 2025 midterm elections. The race for the city’s second highest post, once seen as a foregone conclusion, is now shaping up to be a pivotal contest — one that could signal shifting tides in the region’s political landscape.

A licensed optometrist and a seasoned public servant, Al-ag is no political novice. He spent years as a city councilor before assuming the vice mayoral post in 2017, after then-vice mayor Paolo Duterte resigned amid mounting controversies, including allegations of smuggling and links to organized crime — accusations he has consistently denied.

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Al-ag’s decision to challenge the younger Duterte is a dramatic turn of events. For years, the Al-ag family stood alongside the Dutertes under the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, the local political party built by the elder Duterte patriarchs. But cracks in the alliance became evident when Al-ag was unceremoniously expelled from the party, reportedly due to internal disputes and policy disagreements.

Now untethered from the Duterte political machinery, Al-ag has joined forces with another set of political heavyweights — the Nograleses and the Garcias, both former Duterte allies turned critics. This coalition represents a significant reconfiguration of local power blocs, as they aim to carve out space in a city long defined by loyalty to the Duterte name.

In a special episode of Rappler Talk, Al-ag spoke candidly about the shifting dynamics in Davao politics. “Respect has been lost,” Al-ag said, referring to what he perceives as a more authoritarian and detached leadership style from the younger Duterte generation. “We need leaders who are open to criticism, who can work with others, and who listen to the people.”

Al-ag pointed to several urgent issues plaguing Davao City, including inadequate healthcare access in rural barangays, rising costs of living, and growing frustration over transparency in governance. While he acknowledged the significant infrastructure and security achievements under the Duterte era, he argued that these came at the cost of democratic discourse.

“We have to ask ourselves,” Al-ag said, “are we building a city where only a few make the decisions, or are we building one where every Davaoeño has a voice?”

The Dutertes have ruled Davao for over three decades, starting with Rodrigo Duterte’s long stint as mayor before ascending to the presidency in 2016. Since then, the Duterte children — Sara, Paolo, and Sebastian — have rotated leadership roles across national and local positions, cementing a formidable political brand.

But 2025 may offer a rare opening for dissenting voices. As the Dutertes’ influence remains powerful but not absolute, emerging coalitions like Al-ag’s could test the depth of the dynasty’s grip.

Political analysts say that while the Dutertes still enjoy widespread popularity, especially among older voters nostalgic for Rodrigo Duterte’s iron-fist leadership, younger voters and disillusioned constituents are increasingly looking for alternatives.

Whether Al-ag’s bid can truly disrupt the Duterte dominance remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the monolith of Davao politics is beginning to show fractures — and for the first time in years, the possibility of change seems more than symbolic.

“This is not just about one election,” Al-ag concluded. “It’s about giving the people a real choice again.”

De Guzman, Espiritu Make Final Stand Against Dynasties in 2025 Senate Race

MANILA, Philippines – On the eve of Andres Bonifacio’s death anniversary, a symbolic convergence of history and hope unfolded at Liwasang Bonifacio, a place etched into the country’s memory as a sanctuary for protests and people power. Beneath the towering monument of the revolutionary hero, labor leader Leody de Guzman and human rights lawyer Atty. Luke Espiritu made their final appeal to the Filipino electorate ahead of the 2025 midterm elections — a heartfelt call to resist the grip of political dynasties and reclaim power for the people.

The miting de avance, organized by progressive coalition Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), felt more like a mass movement than a traditional campaign rally. There were no flashy tarpaulins bearing faces smiling with practiced ease, no celebrities or oligarch-funded spectacles — just fiery speeches, clenched fists, and a powerful message that echoed through the historic plaza: Tama na ang mga trapo. Oras na ng masa.

PLM Chairman Sonny Melencio opened the evening program with an urgent reminder to the crowd. “Ang halalan na ito ay hindi lang laban ng mga kandidato. Ito ay laban ng manggagawa, ng maralita, ng sambayanang Pilipino laban sa naghaharing iilan,” he said. “Wag tayong bumoto sa mga pamilya na matagal nang nakaupo habang patuloy tayong naghihirap.”

Melencio’s words set the tone for the rally — unapologetically confrontational, yet grounded in the grassroots ideals that have long fueled movements for change.

A Campaign Without Machinery, But With Momentum

Leody de Guzman, a veteran labor organizer and repeat national candidate, took the stage with unshakable conviction. Despite the absence of traditional political machinery, de Guzman proudly recalled how their campaign reached towns and communities often ignored by mainstream candidates. “Hindi kami dumaan sa daan ng pera. Dumaan kami sa daan ng prinsipyo,” he declared.

He doubled down on his pledge to end political dynasties, branding them as the root of systemic dysfunction in government. “Kaming dalawa ni Luke ay nanindigan na dapat ang tumbukin sa panahon ng eleksyon na ito ay ang puno’t dulo ng problema. At yan ang ating gobyerno na pinamumugaran ng trapo at dynastiya,” he said, drawing cheers from the audience.

De Guzman then called for a moment of silence to honor Bonifacio — the Katipunan leader who fought not just colonial rulers, but also the social inequality and elitism of his time. In this symbolic moment, the crowd bowed their heads under the city lights, some wiping away tears as they reflected on what Bonifacio’s unfinished revolution might mean today.

Espiritu’s Fiery Challenge to the Establishment

Taking the microphone next was Atty. Luke Espiritu, a labor rights lawyer known for his electrifying speeches and sharp takedowns of political corruption. Espiritu’s words cut through the night like a battle cry.

“Hinding-hindi kami titigil,” he thundered. “Hindi kami magsasawa na tumakbo at hamunin ang mga dynastiya pagdating sa kapangyarihan. Hindi kami magsasawa. Kayo ba, magsasawa na ipaglaban natin ang ating kapangyarihan?”

The crowd responded with chants of “Hindi! Hindi! Hindi!”

Espiritu emphasized that their fight transcends this election cycle. “Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa? Kung hindi tayo, sino pa? Panahon na para muling makialam ang mamamayan sa direksyon ng ating bayan,” he said.

A Broader Coalition for Reform

Their message received a strong endorsement from Erin Tañada, Liberal Party executive vice president and third nominee of the ML Party-list. Tañada, himself a descendant of a long political lineage, voiced his support for de Guzman and Espiritu while acknowledging the complexities of systemic reform.

“Bagama’t hindi natin mabibigyan ng solusyon ang lahat ng problema maski manalo sa eleksyon si Leody at Luke,” Tañada said, “pero at least, masasabi natin na yung mga problema ay pwedeng mabigyan ng pagkakataong mapag-usapan sa Senado.”

Tañada called on supporters to go beyond the rally, to act as messengers in their communities. “Kailangan po natin kumbinsihin yung hindi pa nakakarinig sa mensahe ni Leody at Luke. Ipakilala natin ang alternatibo.”

A Campaign of Hope

The evening concluded not with confetti or celebrity performances, but with music that echoed the spirit of resistance — folk songs, protest anthems, and original compositions about hope, hunger, and struggle. Fireworks lit the Manila skyline not just in celebration, but as a sign that another path remains possible.

While the odds remain steep for candidates like de Guzman and Espiritu in a system dominated by entrenched power, the energy at Liwasang Bonifacio told another story: that there is space in Philippine politics for courage, integrity, and working-class dreams.

As the crowd dispersed into the night, one could not help but recall the words of Bonifacio himself: “Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila gaya ng pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa?”

In 2025, that question — of what and who the people truly love — will be answered at the ballot box.

De Guzman, Espiritu Slam P20/kilo Rice as “Election Gimmick,” Call for Real Agri Reform

MANILA, Philippines – Beneath the revolutionary gaze of Andres Bonifacio at Liwasang Bonifacio, two of the country’s fiercest progressive voices, labor leader Leody de Guzman and human rights lawyer Atty. Luke Espiritu, did more than just deliver fiery campaign speeches — they pulled no punches in calling out what they described as the government’s latest “election gimmick”: the P20-per-kilo rice program.

Speaking before a crowd of supporters during their miting de avance on May 9, the senatorial candidates of the Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) raised strong objections against the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) controversial rice subsidy initiative. The program, hastily announced on May 1 — International Labor Day — by the DA, promised to deliver rice at P20 per kilo in select Kadiwa outlets. But within 24 hours, its rollout was abruptly suspended following the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) recommendation to pause government assistance distributions due to the election ban.

For De Guzman and Espiritu, the suspension was more than just a procedural hiccup. It was confirmation of what they believe all along — that the program was never meant to uplift farmers or address the structural crisis in agriculture, but simply to court voters ahead of the May 13 elections.

“Kalokohan ‘Yan”: De Guzman’s Rebuke

“Malinaw naman ‘yun. Election gimmick lang ‘yun,” De Guzman declared, his voice rising with conviction. “Hindi pwedeng ma-sustain ‘yun. Papatayin nila yung mga magsasaka dahil hindi naman nila napapaunlad pa yung ating sektor ng sakahan.”

A veteran labor organizer who has long championed agrarian reform, De Guzman emphasized that any real move to lower rice prices must begin with a massive overhaul of the country’s agricultural system — starting with state investment.

“Unless paunlaran yung sektor ng sakahan, maglagay ng maraming pondo diyan… yun saka magagawa yung murang presyo ng bigas na kikita yung magsasaka,” he added. Without addressing the root causes — landlessness, high production costs, and neglect of local farming — De Guzman warned that such populist measures would collapse under their own weight.

He was even more blunt when asked whether the program could be scaled across the archipelago.

“Kalokohan yan,” he scoffed. “Gimmick lang yan ni Marcos para patunayan na kaya niya. Pero hindi yan sustainable. Tingnan niyo, pagkatapos o bago matapos ang taong ito titigil yung bigas na yan na P20. Hindi yan darating sa Mindanao at Luzon.”

“Tokenism”: Espiritu Decries Lack of Systemic Change

Echoing De Guzman, Espiritu took aim at what he called the administration’s reliance on “tokenism” — short-term, headline-grabbing measures that fail to confront deeper structural issues.

“Hindi naman binago ni Marcos ang pinaka-fundamental na problema kung bakit mataas ang presyo ng bigas,” Espiritu said, addressing a crowd of workers, students, and farmers who had gathered under Manila’s humid evening sky.

Espiritu, a labor lawyer known for challenging oligarchs and dynasts in televised debates, laid out a scathing critique: “Pinapabayaan pa rin ang agrikultura, pinapabayaan pa rin ang magsasaka, inaagawan pa rin ng lupa. Wala pa ring tunay na reporma at walang suporta sa magsasaka.”

The lawyer argued that rather than provide band-aid solutions, the government should focus on long-overdue reforms: implementing genuine land redistribution, providing subsidies for seeds and fertilizer, and protecting local producers from exploitative market forces and foreign dumping.

Comelec Flags Timing, DA Delays Rollout

Adding fuel to the fire, the Comelec stepped in soon after the May 1 announcement, recommending the program’s suspension. With the election period in full effect, the poll body expressed concern that the rice subsidy could be used as a tool for politicking — blurring the line between public service and partisan maneuvering.

In response, the Department of Agriculture deferred the full-scale launch of the P20/kilo rice initiative until May 13, a day after the midterm elections. The DA insisted the delay was procedural, not political — but critics were unconvinced.

“To announce a major subsidy on Labor Day, in the thick of a campaign, then pull it back the next day due to an election ban — if that’s not performative, what is?” said a farmer-leader from Central Luzon who joined the rally but declined to be named for security reasons.

Progressives Push for People-Centered Governance

At the core of De Guzman and Espiritu’s campaign is a call to end dynastic politics and economic inequality — themes that have earned them loyal supporters but limited access to the machinery-driven realities of Philippine electoral politics. Still, they remain undeterred.

Their final rally was not just about votes, but about movement-building — an effort to inject substance, ideology, and class consciousness into a landscape often defined by personality cults and celebrity endorsements.

“Hindi ito huling laban,” Espiritu declared. “Patuloy ang laban ng masa. Sa Senado man kami mapunta o hindi, mananatili kaming kakampi ninyo sa kalsada, sa korte, sa bukid, sa pabrika.”

As fireworks burst over Liwasang Bonifacio to close the rally, the air was thick not just with smoke, but with defiance — and perhaps, for their supporters, the hope that the long, unfinished struggle for justice will find new champions in a Senate sorely in need of them.

One thought on “Ex-Vice Mayor Bernie Al-ag Challenges Duterte Stronghold in Davao”

Marjohn Luyeg says:

May 10, 2025 at 5:01 am

YES . The emergence of opposition figures like Bernie Al-ag challenging the Duterte dynasty in Davao City marks a significant development in Philippine politics. For years, the Dutertes’ dominance has been virtually unchallenged, but Al-ag’s candidacy signals a potential crack in that longstanding power structure. This contest is more than just a local election; it’s a test of the dynasty’s enduring influence and a barometer of changing political sentiment in the region. The outcome will likely have broader implications for the future of Philippine politics, particularly in the southern Philippines. The fact that seasoned political players, once loyal to the Dutertes, are now openly opposing them suggests a growing dissatisfaction with the dynasty’s rule. The 2025 election in Davao City will be closely watched as a potential turning point. https://www.omnizers.com/philippines/bernie-al-ag-challenges-duterte/