POLYTECHNIC University of the Philippines (PUP) professor Louie Montemar said Saturday at least 25 million Filipinos may already represent the households behind an online signature campaign calling for the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to proceed, describing the rapid public response as a strong sign that many citizens want accountability tested in the proper forum.
Montemar, a professor of sociology and political science, said the signature campaign gained millions of supporters within hours of its launch, which he linked to a wider public demand to see the impeachment process carried out before the Senate.
“At tingin ko alam nilang lahat na kahapon may nag-launch ng isang online signature campaign at sa loob lamang ng two to three hours may lumabas na halos 3 million pirma na nanawagan na ituloy ang impeachment at i-impeach si Sara,” Montemar stated.
“Ngayong madaling araw chineck ko, nasa 5 million na,” he added.
The online campaign came as the Senate prepared to take up the Articles of Impeachment transmitted by the House of Representatives, which voted overwhelmingly to impeach Duterte over allegations involving confidential funds, unexplained wealth, alleged bribery and threats.
The speed of the campaign’s spread, Montemar argued, should make senators more conscious that public attention is no longer limited to politicians, lawyers or partisan groups, but also includes ordinary families watching whether the process will be delayed, weakened or allowed to proceed.
“May 5 million Pilipino ngayon na gusto makita matuloy ang trial at ma-impeach si Sara,” Montemar said.
“Imultiply mo ’yan by five dahil ang average Filipino family size ay five to six. So that means there are 25 million Filipinos out there at least who want to see the trial proceed at the very least,” Montemar pointed out.
“And utmost to be able to show that Sara Duterte must be made to account for whatever her political sins are to the country,” he added.
Asked about the political effect of the recent Senate turmoil, including the image of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa running amid attempts to deal with his legal situation, Montemar said the developments have affected public perception of the Duterte political brand.
He said the developments may also influence how senators behave once the impeachment process reaches the chamber, especially with political actors expected to watch the numbers and weigh public sentiment.
“Actually talagang maganda ang developments para sa akin bilang isang tao na critical sa mga Duterte supporters,” Montemar said.
“Lalong-lalo na ito ang pinakamahalaga para sa akin,” he added.
Montemar said political perception will matter as the Senate moves toward the impeachment process, particularly for senators who may be calculating how their actions will be received by the public.
“Sabi nga, politics is perception,” Montemar noted.
“Pero higit sa lahat, politics is addition pag election,” he added.
Montemar said senators, including traditional politicians, are likely to be careful because their votes and actions in the impeachment proceedings could carry political consequences.
“At tingin ko sa Lunes, or sa 18 kung matuloy ang trial, magiging maingat ang mga senador,” Montemar said.
“Higit sa lahat ang mga trapo na ’yan ay politiko. Whether progressive or traditional sila, politiko ang mga ’yan,” he added.
Montemar said the Senate’s actions will be measured not only by legal arguments, but also by the public’s growing demand to see whether the evidence against Duterte will be heard.
“Magbibilangan ’yan,” Montemar stated.
“Magko-compete ang political calculus niyan, gumagana,” Montemar added.
