DEPUTY Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union on Friday said the latest survey on the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte sends a clear and uncomfortable message for her camp: Filipinos want evidence, accountability, and the truth — not noise, not excuses, and not political theater.
Ortega, endorser of the 4th impeachment complaint, issued the statement after the release of the latest WR Numero Philippine Public Opinion Monitor survey showing that when asked what should be the main basis of congressmen in voting on the impeachment of Duterte, 42 percent said lawmakers should consider the opinion of the Filipino people, while 29 percent said the vote should be based on the strength or weakness of the evidence.
“This survey destroys the false narrative that the public wants Congress to shut its eyes and walk away,” Ortega said. “The people want this process taken seriously. They want the facts examined. They want the evidence weighed. At higit sa lahat, gusto nilang manaig ang pananagutan.”
Ortega said the survey contains an even more damaging finding for the vice president’s defenders: 22 percent of Filipinos already believe the evidence against Duterte is strong and has basis, while only 25 percent say it is weak and baseless.
“That means nearly one in four Filipinos already believe there is real basis to hold Vice President Duterte to account,” Ortega said. “Hindi ito biro. Hindi ito maliit na numero. At lalong hindi ito patunay na kumbinsido ang publiko na inosente siya.”
He said the often-cited figure that 53 percent are against impeachment should not be misconstrued as a public clearing of Duterte’s name.
“Let us be very clear: being against impeachment is not the same as believing she is innocent,” Ortega said. “In fact, the same survey shows that 46 percent say they still do not have enough information about the evidence and grounds behind the complaint. Ibig sabihin, hindi pa sarado ang isip ng publiko. Naghihintay pa sila sa buong katotohanan.”
According to Ortega, that is precisely why the impeachment proceedings should continue in a serious, orderly, and evidence-driven manner.
“If the vice president truly believes the allegations against her will collapse, then she should welcome the process instead of hiding behind technicalities, diversion, and propaganda,” he said. “The answer to impeachment charges is evidence. The answer is not self-pity. The answer is not political victimhood.”
Ortega added that the survey also undercuts the argument that lawmakers should simply follow political loyalties or factional lines.
He said only nine percent said members of Congress should vote based on the side of their political allies, while another nine percent said lawmakers should rely mainly on their conscience as legislators.
“The public is not asking for blind loyalty. The public is asking for judgment anchored on facts,” Ortega said. “Hindi kampihan. Hindi palakasan. Hindi palusot. Ebidensiya.”
He said the ruling places a heavy constitutional responsibility on Congress.
“The House cannot abdicate its duty. We are constitutionally bound to hear the evidence, test the allegations, and determine whether the charges merit action,” Ortega said. “Hindi puwedeng umatras na lang dahil may ingay. Hindi puwedeng umurong dahil may pressure. Kapag may sapat na batayan, kailangang umusad ang proseso.”
For Ortega, the real lesson of the survey is simple: Duterte does not have a public mandate of innocence.
“This survey is not a vindication of the vice president. It is a warning that the public is still watching, weighing, and waiting,” he said. “At habang dumarami ang lumalabas na detalye, mas lalong mahalaga na pairalin ang katotohanan kaysa propaganda.”
“The Filipino people deserve the full story,” Ortega added. “And those entrusted with public office must never be allowed to treat accountability as optional.”
The WR Numero survey was conducted from March 10 to 17, 2026 among 1,455 respondents nationwide, with a ±3 percent margin of error.
