THE impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte is not a beauty contest or a popularity race, House prosecutor Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said over the weekend, dismissing the significance of a survey showing greater public satisfaction with her defense lawyers than with the prosecution.
“Pero ang gusto ko ding sabihin, hindi naman po ito Miss Universe. Hindi po ito beauty contest. Hindi po ito pasikatan. Hindi po ito popularity contest,” Ridon told the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
Ridon said the House prosecution respected public opinion but stressed that the outcome of the trial must depend on evidence, not popularity ratings.
A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted Sept. 21 to 27 found that 47% of adult Filipinos were satisfied with how Duterte’s lawyers were handling her defense in a just manner, compared with 30% who expressed satisfaction with the prosecution.
The survey, conducted before the House prosecution withdrew three of the four impeachment charges, also found that 35% were dissatisfied with the prosecution, compared with 24% for the defense.
Ridon said the prosecution would remain focused on proving the allegations of unexplained wealth against Duterte, regardless of the survey results.
“Gagawin po ng prosecution ang kailangan po niyang gawin para patunayan ’yun pong ebidensya, para patunayan po ’yung paratang laban sa pangalawang pangulo,” he said.
He also suggested that political divisions could partly explain the differences in public opinion.
“So ang totoo naman ho, much of the surveys has a complexion really on the partisanship nature, partisan nature of the proceedings. At it is very apparent doon po sa results in various parts of the country,” Ridon said.
Ridon acknowledged the survey findings but maintained that the prosecution’s duty was to establish its case before the Senate impeachment court.
“Of course we are noting it, but ultimately naman ho ang trabaho po ng prosecution ay tumugon dito po sa obligasyon na patunayan ang mga paratang,” he said.
The House prosecution has rested its case after presenting financial records, corporate documents and testimony under Article II, the sole remaining impeachment charge involving alleged unexplained wealth.
Duterte has denied wrongdoing, while her lawyers are scheduled to begin presenting evidence Monday, November 9.
metrosundaily
