Metro Manila, Philippines – Almost 7 in 10 Filipinos believe that the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte should proceed to a trial, a non-commissioned survey showed.
Pollster OCTA Research released the survey on Wednesday, April 15, as impeachment hearings take place at the House of Representatives.
“Support for an impeachment trial may be understood not only as an expression of accountability, but also – particularly among some supporters of the Vice President – as an opportunity to address and respond to the allegations through a formal and transparent proceeding,” the survey said.
The survey showed that 69 percent of respondents want the case to be transmitted to the Senate, sitting as the impeachment court, 28 percent were against, and the rest undecided.
Support for the impeachment trial was highest in the Visayas and Metro Manila, with 83 and 81 percent respectively. While still a majority, it was lowest in Mindanao, Duterte’s bailiwick, with 61 percent.
Meanwhile, eight in 10 Filipinos or 87 percent expressed awareness of the impeachment complaints against the vice president.
The survey was held among 1,200 respondents on March 19 to 25. It has a ±3% margin of error.
Duterte is facing two impeachment suits for supposed betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, and high crimes, among others over allegations of fund misuse, unexplained wealth, and threats to the presidential family.
She skipped the House proceedings twice and instead challenged the legality of the proceedings to the Supreme Court.
