EVEN many of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s supporters may believe she should answer the impeachment charges against her,” House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chairman Jude A. Acidre of Tingog Party-list said Friday, citing the combined findings of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.
Acidre said the survey suggests that many Filipinos are able to support Duterte while also expecting her to respond to the allegations through the constitutional impeachment process.
“The survey is very revealing. The vice president remains the country’s highest-rated public official in terms of trust and satisfaction, yet 70% of Filipinos believe she should answer the impeachment charges,” Acidre said.
“Taken together, these findings suggest that many of those who continue to support her also want to hear her respond to the allegations before the Senate impeachment court,” he added.
Acidre said the survey indicates that public support for Duterte does not necessarily mean opposition to the impeachment proceedings.
“The survey suggests that many Filipinos distinguish between supporting a public official and expecting that official to answer serious allegations before the Senate impeachment court. It appears many believe both can exist at the same time,” Acidre said.
According to Acidre, the findings also reflect public recognition of the impeachment process as the constitutional forum for resolving the allegations.
“This is not about prejudging the outcome. Whether she is ultimately acquitted or convicted is for the Senate impeachment court to decide after hearing all the evidence. What the survey tells us is that many Filipinos want that constitutional process to move forward,” Acidre said.
The latest SWS survey found that 70% of adult Filipinos believe Duterte should answer the impeachment charges against her.
The nationwide survey, conducted from June 20 to 29 among 1,200 adult respondents, also showed Duterte posting the highest satisfaction rating among the country’s top government officials, with 58% satisfied, 26% dissatisfied, and a net satisfaction rating of +31, which SWS classified as “good.”
Separate trust questions conducted during the same survey period likewise showed Duterte posting the highest public trust rating among the country’s top government officials.
Acidre said the combined findings do not support the view that the impeachment proceedings have lost public backing.
“People can continue to admire a leader while expecting accountability. Those are not necessarily conflicting ideas. The survey suggests that many Filipinos believe both can exist at the same time,” Acidre said.
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