House leader: Clear majority of Filipinos support impeachment
A House leader on Wednesday downplayed a recent survey that found that nearly half of Filipinos did not support Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment, saying that the process was about accountability to the Filipino people.
In a statement, House assistant majority leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said that the vice president’s impeachment was not a political contest but rather a constitutional mechanism for accountability, especially as she still refuses to explain, among other things, how she spent hundreds of millions of confidential funds.
A recent survey from WR Numero showed that 47 percent of Filipinos were opposed to Duterte’s impeachment trial. The House impeached Duterte on Feb. 5 due to a culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.
“We acknowledge the survey results released by WR Numero regarding the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte,” he said.
“However, we must emphasize that multiple, independent and reputable surveys show that a clear majority of Filipinos support impeachment, underscoring the public’s strong demand for accountability and good governance,” said Adiong, challenging the “credibility and methodology of surveys that might be weaponized to manipulate public perception.”
“A single survey cannot erase the growing clamor for justice and accountability. The people deserve the truth, not a numbers game designed to mislead them,” he said.
He also pointed to a separate survey by Tangere, which revealed that 73 percent of Filipinos favor proceeding with Duterte’s impeachment trial.
“The real question is not about surveys. The question is: why is she so afraid of facing trial if she does not have wrongdoing?” he asked.
“The House of Representatives will not be swayed by propaganda or public relations tactics,” Adiong added.
