The House Committee on Justice finds itself under renewed public scrutiny after a survey showed that 88 percent of Filipinos want Vice President Sara Duterte to face a Senate impeachment trial.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union said Friday that the results of the Tangere survey reflect what he described as a broad public demand for accountability through formal proceedings, not political noise.
Ortega said the sentiment captured in the survey goes beyond critics and signals a wider expectation for answers to be presented in the proper forum.
“Kapag 88 percent na ng mga Pilipino ang nagsasabing humarap ka sa impeachment trial, hindi na iyan simpleng opinyon lang ng iilan,” Ortega said.
The survey, conducted from April 22 to 23, indicated that many respondents see a Senate trial as a venue for Duterte to directly address allegations against her rather than as a form of punishment.
Around 70 percent of respondents said she should personally testify before the Senate, while 51 percent said she should present evidence to clarify financial issues raised against her.
Ortega said the figures challenge claims that impeachment proceedings amount to political persecution, arguing instead that the public expects a formal reckoning.
He added that the findings point to growing frustration over what he described as repeated evasions in discussions involving government documents and financial records.
“May panahon na uubra ang tapang-tapangan at may panahon na uubra ang puro parinig,” Ortega said, warning that the issue has now evolved into what he called a credibility concern.
He also issued a direct appeal for Duterte to face the process.
“Enough na sa yabang, enough na sa drama, enough na sa pag-iwas. Humarap ka, sumagot ka,” he said.
House Committee on Public Accounts Chair Terry Ridon echoed similar sentiments, saying the survey reflects a demand for accountability rather than political spectacle.
“For me, that 88 percent is simple. The public wants answers, not noise,” Ridon said.
He said Duterte should respond to allegations in a formal setting and not from outside proceedings.
“Kung mali ang paratang, humarap ka at sagutin mo sa tamang forum,” he said.
Ridon added that the public expects clarity based on records and evidence.
“Harapin ang ebidensiya, sagutin ang tanong, linawin ang record,” he said.
Image courtesy of Inday Sara / Facebook
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