Half of Pinoys oppose VP Sara impeachment? These 2 solons react

Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong (left), Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua (PPAB)

Two ranking congressmen have shrugged off the results of a recent survey, which indicated that nearly half of Filipinos opposed Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment.

House Assistant Majority Leader Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Chairman Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua have had strong convictions in favor of the impeachment of the second highest-ranked official of the land.

When confronted with the WR Numero survey which said that 47 percent of Filipinos opposed the impeachment, Adiong said that he “acknowledged the results”.

“However, we must emphasize that multiple independent and reputable surveys show that a clear majority of Filipinos support impeachment, underscoring the public’s strong demand for accountability and good governance,” he said.

He pointed to the survey conducted by Tangere, which revealed that 73 percent of Filipinos favored proceeding with Duterte’s impeachment trial.

“The real question is not about surveys. Ang tanong: Bakit takot humarap sa paglilitis kung walang kasalanan? (The question is, why is she afraid to face trial if she didn’t do anything wrong?)” Adiong asked.

Adiong stressed that Duterte’s refusal to explain how she spent hundreds of millions in confidential funds in just a matter of days only reinforces the need for the Senate impeachment trial to proceed.

“Let’s be clear: Impeachment is a solemn constitutional process based on facts, evidence, and the rule of law. The House of Representatives is fulfilling its duty to the Filipino people,” he said.

“We also challenge the credibility and methodology of surveys that might be weaponized to manipulate public perception. Saan isinagawa? Kanino itinarget? Sino ang nagpondo? (Where was this done? Who was the target? Who funded it?)” he asked.

“A single survey cannot erase the growing clamor for justice and accountability. The people deserve the truth, not a numbers game designed to mislead them,” stressed Adiong.

Too early

Meanwhile, Chua, a member of the 11-strong House prosecution team tasked to convict Vice President Duterte, said that it’s too early to get the public’s decisive opinion on the issue.

“Sakin siguro mas maganda tingnan muna natin yong trial as we go along. Tingnan natin kung ano talaga yong mangyayari (For me, I think it’s better to look at the trial first as we go along. Let’s see what will really happen),” he said.

“Dahil kapag nailatag na namin yong mga ebidensya sa impeachment trial siguro don masasabi natin at makikita at maliliwanaganan ang mga kabayayan natin kung ano talaga ang laman nitong impeachment complaint,” added Chua.

(Because once we’ve laid out the pieces of evidence in the impeachment trial, then we will be able to see, our countrymen will be given clarity as to what really is the contents of this impeachment complaint.)

Chua also agrees  with Adiong in that, in the end, the real issue is about holding an impeachable officer accountable for his or her actions.

The six major allegations contained in the seven articles of impeachment within the 33-page complaint are conspiracy to assassinate President Marcos; malversation of P612.5 million in confidential funds; bribery and corruption in Department of Education (DepEd); unexplained wealth and failure to disclose assets; involvement in extrajudicial killings (Davao Death Squad); and destabilization, insurrection, and public disorder.

Much of the evidence that the complaint cited against Duterte were the findings of the good government panel’s lengthy investigation on the alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and DepEd. — Ellson Quismorio