Photo credit: Aris Arugay

As the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte draws near, a political science professor said the proceedings should be viewed as a search for truth and accountability—not simply as a political battle over the 2028 presidential elections.

Speaking in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Aries Arugay said the outcome of the impeachment case could have long-term implications for Philippine politics, particularly because conviction carries the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

“‘Yung political consequences ng trial na ito goes beyond this administration. It will go beyond ‘yung magiging hulma ng politika natin. Kasi nga yung sanctions ng perpetual disqualification from office,” Arugay said.

Despite the political impact, Arugay emphasized that the public's primary concern appears to be hearing the evidence and allowing the constitutional process to run its course.

He pointed to recent opinion surveys showing that many Filipinos—including some of Duterte's own supporters—want the impeachment trial to proceed. According to him, these results suggest that the public is looking for answers rather than political drama.

“And I think the polling numbers have shown that a majority of the Filipinos wanted this trial to happen. So it’s important na masimulan itong proseso na ito finally. And hopefully matapos siya immediately so the country can move on,” he said.

Arugay stressed that impeachment is designed to provide public officials with an opportunity to explain themselves and answer allegations through due process. He noted that the vice president has not been found guilty of any offense and that the trial itself is intended to determine the facts.

“Hindi pa naman siya pinarurusahan. So I think karamihan sa mga Pilipino, ang gustong mangyari is for the vice president to finally explain. ‘Yun lang naman po yung hinihingi,” he said.

The professor also argued that the country might not have reached the point of an impeachment trial had Duterte fully addressed questions raised during congressional budget hearings and investigations into the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

“Hindi naman tayo aabot dito sa trial na ito kung ito ay naipaliwanag ng bise presidente noong budget hearings o kaya yung katakot-takot niya ‘yung presscon at Facebook post kung doon mismo pinaliwanag niya na,” he said.

He noted that the vice president had repeatedly said she would explain her side at the proper time, but questioned why it would take a full impeachment trial for that explanation to finally be heard.

“Parati niya tayong pinaghihintay na ‘darating ‘yung point na ipapaliwanag ko.’ Umabot na tayo ng ilang taon at kailangan pang umabot sa isang impeachment trial para lang marinig ‘yung paliwanag,” he said.

“I think that’s what the people deserve. Paano mo ba ginastos ‘yung P612.5 million na yan? So sa ngayon kailangan pa natin mag-impeachment trial just for you to be forced to explain? I find that very bewildering,” he added.

Arugay also pushed back against claims that impeachment is merely a political weapon, saying the process exists to uphold transparency and accountability. According to him, if the vice president is acquitted, that would also provide a clear resolution to the allegations.

“Kasi kung ma-acquit siya then tapos. Ibig sabihin nagastos nang maayos, hindi niya talaga thrineatean [‘yung presidente], walang basehan,” he said.

“Kaya lang ‘yung nangyayari ngayon kasi eh parang ‘yung logika, pag sinubject mo sa isang due process ‘yung isang politiko, weaponization na, pinupulitika na, when supposedly ito ‘yung tamang proseso ng pagpapaliwanag, transparency and accountability. Pero bakit natatakot na mag-undergo in such a process?” he questioned.

With the impeachment trial set to begin on July 6, Arugay encouraged the public to closely follow the proceedings, including how evidence is presented, how witnesses are examined, and whether the Senate impeachment court conducts the trial fairly.

Vice President Duterte is facing four impeachment charges involving the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, alleged unexplained wealth, alleged bribery involving officials from the Department of Education, and alleged grave threats against Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.