Poll: Only 28% see fair ruling in VP impeachment

MANILA, Philippines — Compared to previous impeachment trials, a smaller proportion of Filipinos expect a fair ruling in the ongoing Senate proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, a survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

The poll, conducted from Sept. 21 to 27, found that only 28 percent of the respondents have “much trust” in the Senate that it would make a fair decision in the impeachment trial.

It was lower than the 32 percent obtained in December 2000 during the impeachment trial of then-president Joseph Estrada and the 30 percent obtained in March 2012 during the trial of then Supreme Court chief justice Renato Corona.

At 35 percent, more Filipinos also have little trust now in the Senate to make a fair decision. It was only at 15 percent in December 2000 and 19 percent in March 2012.

Based on the latest survey, only 42 percent of the respondents closely follow Duterte’s impeachment trial.

Twenty-one percent said they were following it “just a little,” while 27 percent said they were not following at all. Nine percent just heard about the trial from the survey.

Asked about the fairness of proceedings, 50 percent said the Senate impeachment court “has the right consideration for both sides.”

Seventeen percent said the court was too liberal with the prosecutors, while 18 percent said it was too liberal for Duterte’s lawyers. Fifteen percent said they do not know or refused to answer the question.

Only 31 percent said the trial was moving at the right pace, while 39 percent said it was “much too slow.” Twenty-percent thought it was “too much in a hurry,” with the remaining seven percent not providing an answer.

The survey was conducted just as the prosecution wrapped up its presentation of evidence.

The House prosecutors on Oct. 13 formally dropped three out of the four Articles of Impeachment, leaving the issue of unexplained wealth as the sole charge against Duterte.

The court resumes session on Nov. 18, with the defense to begin its presentation of evidence.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman will “evaluate” the allegations against Vice President Duterte, including alleged anomalies in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) and the bribery charge already withdrawn from the impeachment trial against her.

Journalists asked Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla about updates on the turnover of Duterte’s SALN records and the possible referral of the withdrawn Articles of Impeachment, including the bribery charge, to the ombudsman during his visit to Cebu last Thursday.

Earlier this month, the House prosecution panel decided to withdraw the three out of four Articles of Impeachment against Duterte including the charge of bribery to officials of the Department of Education that she previously headed. They noted they may refer the bribery charge to the ombudsman or the Department of Justice for possible investigation.

During the media briefing, Remulla said ombudsman investigators “will be needing sworn statements.”

“We will evaluate it first and we will see if we need sworn statements… we cannot take it just on word na walang people standing up to the facts,” he explained.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) previously announced it has transferred the case buildup over the alleged misdeclarations in Duterte’s SALN to the ombudsman.

According to Remulla, the NBI’s turnover would undergo fact-finding by his office. –  Ghio Ong

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