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Advocates Philippines
House Prosecutors: Duterte Ratings Won't Stop Impeachment Trial
Photo credit: House of Representatives of the Philippines
Vice President Sara Duterte’s improved satisfaction ratings will not affect the ongoing impeachment proceedings against her, according to the House prosecution panel, which emphasized that the case will be decided based on evidence—not public opinion.
House prosecution legal spokesperson and private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said the impeachment process is a constitutional mechanism designed to hold high-ranking officials accountable, regardless of their popularity.
“This is not a popularity contest. It’s a constitutional accountability mechanism,” Tolosa emphasized.
Tolosa noted that the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey often cited in discussions was conducted from June 20 to 29, before Duterte’s Senate impeachment trial began. He pointed out that the survey measured the Vice President’s public satisfaction ratings and did not reflect public opinion on the evidence being presented in the impeachment case.
The prosecution also argued that Filipinos may appreciate Duterte’s performance in office while still supporting a constitutional inquiry into allegations involving confidential funds, threats, and unexplained wealth.
To reinforce the point, Tolosa cited the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, who continued to enjoy political support during his trial but was eventually convicted by the Senate in 2012 for failing to properly disclose assets in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
“And it would be good to remember what happened during the impeachment trial of the late CJ Corona,” Tolosa pointed out.
The House prosecution maintained that under the Constitution, it is the Senate’s role to determine whether an impeachable official committed offenses such as culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.
House prosecution spokesperson and impeachment adviser Ace Barbers likewise said allowing survey ratings to determine whether an impeachment trial should proceed would undermine the constitutional process.
“Hindi ito popularity contest,” Barbers stressed.
“This is a mechanism that the Constitution guarantees to ensure that the Filipino people will not be shortchanged if andwhen the highest official of the country violates certain laws,” he added.
House prosecution legal spokesperson and private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said the impeachment process is a constitutional mechanism designed to hold high-ranking officials accountable, regardless of their popularity.
“This is not a popularity contest. It’s a constitutional accountability mechanism,” Tolosa emphasized.
Tolosa noted that the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey often cited in discussions was conducted from June 20 to 29, before Duterte’s Senate impeachment trial began. He pointed out that the survey measured the Vice President’s public satisfaction ratings and did not reflect public opinion on the evidence being presented in the impeachment case.
The prosecution also argued that Filipinos may appreciate Duterte’s performance in office while still supporting a constitutional inquiry into allegations involving confidential funds, threats, and unexplained wealth.
To reinforce the point, Tolosa cited the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, who continued to enjoy political support during his trial but was eventually convicted by the Senate in 2012 for failing to properly disclose assets in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
“And it would be good to remember what happened during the impeachment trial of the late CJ Corona,” Tolosa pointed out.
The House prosecution maintained that under the Constitution, it is the Senate’s role to determine whether an impeachable official committed offenses such as culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.
House prosecution spokesperson and impeachment adviser Ace Barbers likewise said allowing survey ratings to determine whether an impeachment trial should proceed would undermine the constitutional process.
“Hindi ito popularity contest,” Barbers stressed.
“This is a mechanism that the Constitution guarantees to ensure that the Filipino people will not be shortchanged if andwhen the highest official of the country violates certain laws,” he added.
Jul 17, 2026
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