The filing of an impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte caused the low support received by the administration-backed senatorial bets in Mindanao.

In a radio interview on Thursday, Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas campaign manager and Navotas Rep.e Toby Tiangco said that the voters in Mindanao opted for other candidates against the impeachment trial against Duterte as soon as it was filed.

The official count showed re-electionist Senator Bong Go of PDP-Laban and former Senator Bam Aquino placing one and two. The Alyansa and PDP-Laban had five senatorial winners each while Aquno and returning Senator Kiko Pangilinan rounded off the Magic 12.

"Even before the election began, we were doing surveys so we were able to track Mindanao and as soon as the impeachment was filed ... I showed them that Mindanao (registered voters) were solidifying meaning ... their basis on which candidate to choose shifted to those who will not vote on the impeachment", Tiangco said.

Tiangco also admitted that the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte may also have impacted the voter's preference in Mindanao.

"My assumption is there is no way to avoid the arrest that's why the administration was forced to push through it unlike in the impeachment that could have been avoided ", Tiangco added.

Tiangco said that they instead focused their campaign on other areas of the country all throughout the 90-day campaign through market votes and advised other members of the slate to campaign individually in Mindanao. Marie Manalili/DMS