MANILA – Lawmakers on Friday pointed to a new survey indicating that an overwhelming 88 percent of Filipinos want Vice President Sara Duterte to undergo a Senate impeachment trial, calling it a clear signal of public demand for accountability.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V said the Tangere poll underscores a strong nationwide expectation for Duterte to address allegations against her in a formal and transparent setting, particularly in the Senate.
He noted that the results suggest broad public interest rather than isolated political criticism, with citizens reportedly seeking answers through proper legal and democratic processes.
Conducted from April 22 to 23, the survey found that most respondents believe the impeachment trial should serve as a platform for explanation rather than punishment. Around 70 percent said Duterte should personally testify, while 51 percent want her to clarify concerns over financial records by presenting supporting evidence.
Ortega said the findings challenge narratives that frame the proceedings as political harassment, arguing instead that the public is calling for accountability and transparency.
He also pointed to what he described as increasing frustration among citizens over repeated avoidance of direct answers regarding confidential funds and other financial issues.
House Committee on Public Accounts Chair Terry Ridon likewise said the results show a clear public preference for formal accountability, stressing that the focus should be on evidence and transparency rather than rhetoric.
He added that the public now expects straightforward answers grounded in official documentation, not public relations statements.
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