By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The House prosecution panel on Friday maintained that Vice President Sara Duterte’s favorable public satisfaction ratings have no bearing on the constitutional process of impeachment, stressing that the proceedings are intended to determine accountability—not political popularity.
Speaking during a press briefing, prosecution spokesperson Rep. Robert Ace Barbers rejected calls from Duterte supporters to abandon the impeachment case following the release of a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing improved public satisfaction with the Vice President’s performance.
Barbers said the impeachment court is tasked with examining evidence and determining whether constitutional grounds exist for conviction, adding that public opinion surveys cannot replace the judicial nature of the proceedings.
He urged the public to focus on the evidence that will be presented during the trial rather than on survey numbers, saying citizens should evaluate the case based on facts disclosed in court.
Also addressing the briefing, prosecution legal spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa Jr. echoed Barbers’ position, describing impeachment as a constitutional accountability mechanism rather than a measure of political popularity.
Tolosa pointed to the impeachment trial of the late former Chief Justice Renato Corona, recalling that public sentiment evolved only after evidence was presented before the impeachment court.
He appealed to the public to refrain from reaching conclusions before the trial is completed and instead closely follow the proceedings as both sides present their respective cases.
Meanwhile, House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon said survey results merely reflect public perception of an official’s performance and do not exempt any public official from constitutional accountability.
Ridon noted that while higher satisfaction ratings may indicate positive public approval of government services, they do not prevent the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, from determining whether constitutional violations or betrayal of public trust were committed.
The statements came after an SWS survey conducted from June 20 to 29 showed Duterte posting a net satisfaction rating of +31, an improvement from +29 recorded in March. The survey found her strongest support remained in Mindanao, followed by the Visayas, while ratings were lower in Balance Luzon and Metro Manila.
The Senate Impeachment Court has so far completed six hearing days since the trial formally opened earlier this month. Proceedings have largely centered on Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which involves allegations that Duterte made threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The impeachment court is scheduled to resume hearings on Monday, when oral arguments on the prosecution’s request to obtain Duterte’s bank and tax records are expected to continue before the presentation of evidence shifts to the remaining impeachment articles.
ia/xf
