Courtesy: Office of the Vice President
ALLIES of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte have failed to generate the mass public support needed to derail or pressure institutions over her looming impeachment trial, a sociology and political science professor said Saturday, pointing to weak mobilization efforts despite repeated calls from Duterte supporters for people to take to the streets.
Speaking during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, Assistant Professor Louie Montemar of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) noted that recent appeals by pro-Duterte figures to rally supporters had largely fallen flat even amid escalating political tensions surrounding the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.
“Hindi po ba napansin natin na ilang panawagan na ang ginawa ng mga lider o ng mga kinatawan ng mga Duterte supporters at nakita natin na hindi nila kaya magpatawag, mag-mobilize ng madaming tao at ma-sustain ito,” said Montemar, who is also the chief of PUP’s Advocacy Center.
Amid the political turmoil, some Duterte allies publicly urged supporters to gather and defend the Vice President and her allies, but turnout remained minimal, according to Montemar.
“Kahit si Harry Roque o si Mike Defensor nanawagan sila, walang nangyari,” he said.
He contrasted the weak response with the massive public mobilizations seen during the People Power Revolution and EDSA II uprisings, when calls from influential figures rapidly drew huge crowds into the streets.
The professor also questioned the credibility of some Duterte allies and political figures attempting to influence public opinion on the impeachment issue.
He cited in particular newly elected Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, whose rise to the Senate presidency during a leadership shakeup widely described by critics as a “Senate coup” was linked to efforts by the Duterte bloc to gain greater influence over the Vice President’s impending impeachment trial.
Cayetano is also facing public backlash over the handling of the situation involving Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, a close Duterte ally and expected impeachment judge who figured in a dramatic standoff tied to attempts to arrest him in connection with an International Criminal Court investigation into the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
“Sa tingin ko lalo na si Alan Peter Cayetano, bilang isang senador na wala na sa moral high ground, ‘ika nga ‘no, para manawagan sa kung ano ang tama at mali sa bansa, kaya sa tingin ko hindi nila kakayanin mag-mobilize ng madaming tao,” he said.
The House of Representatives earlier impeached Duterte over allegations of misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. Duterte has denied wrongdoing.
