Metro Manila, Philippines – The House prosecution panel defended its handling of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case after a new Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll found 35% of Filipinos dissatisfied with the fairness of the prosecution, higher than the defense’s 24%.
Spokesperson Rep. Zia Adiong argued that the poll measures public sentiment, not the merits of the evidence.
“Ang survey ay parang snapshot at hindi siya talaga masasabi mong biblical truth,” Adiong said.
[The survey is like a snapshot and cannot be treated as absolute truth.]
Adiong said the lengthy trial and the technical nature of the case may explain some public dissatisfaction.
The poll ran from Sept. 21 to 27, before the prosecution withdrew three of the four impeachment articles. The panel now focuses on Article II, which concerns allegations that Duterte failed to fully disclose her assets and income.
Adiong also emphasized the finding that 78% of Filipinos consider it important for Duterte to testify personally.
“Mataas din po yung survey na gusto ng publiko na mag-explain ang Vice President,” Adiong said.
[The survey also shows that the public wants the Vice President to explain.]
He said the result reflects calls for Duterte to explain discrepancies in her declared assets and income. Adiong added that her continued absence could reinforce questions about whether she can explain the allegations.
Meanwhile, Senate Impeachment Court spokesperson Regie Tongol stressed that public opinion would not determine the senator-judges’ verdict.
“Let it be unmistakable that survey metrics measure public sentiment, whereas the Senator-judges are bound by oath to render judgment strictly on the basis of law and admissible evidence,” Tongol said.
Tongol cited the finding that 50% of Filipinos believe the Senate has given both sides fair consideration, while 51% said they would accept its final verdict.
He also noted that 32% remain undecided about their trust in the court’s final vote, while 28% expressed much trust and 35% little trust.
Tongol said the undecided and skeptical respondents challenge the court to demonstrate fairness throughout the proceedings.
“Rather than treating these numbers with complacency, the Impeachment Court views the remaining undecided and skeptical segments of the public as a continuing challenge to demonstrate transparent, rules-based impartiality,” Tongol said.
The trial resumes on Nov. 9, when Duterte’s defense team begins presenting evidence on Article II.
