41% for, 35% against VP impeachment – survey

MANILA, Philippines —  More Filipinos support the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte than those who are against it, a commissioned survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

The Dec. 12 to 18 survey, commissioned by Stratbase group, found that 41 percent support the impeachment of the Vice President. Thirty-five percent said they disagree, while 19 percent were undecided.

Three impeachment complaints have so far been filed against the Vice President, who is facing criticisms over her offices’ use of confidential funds. Two of the complaints had been filed when the survey was conducted.

Across areas, support for Duterte’s impeachment was highest among those in balance Luzon at 50 percent, followed by those in Metro Manila at 45 percent, the Visayas at 40 percent and Mindanao at 22 percent.

Conversely, those who disagree with the Vice President’s impeachment was highest in her bailiwick Mindanao at 56 percent, followed by those in Metro Manila at 37 percent, the Visayas at 33 percent and rest of Luzon at 25 percent.

Among the undecided respondents, it was highest in the Visayas at 24 percent, followed by those in Mindanao and balance Luzon at 18 percent and Metro Manila at 14 percent.

Fifty percent of respondents from socio-economic class ABC support Duterte’s impeachment, followed by those in classes D and E at 41 percent and 37 percent, respectively. Those who disagree across socio-economic classes range from 34 to 36 percent.

The survey respondents were also asked which allegations may be the basis of Duterte’s impeachment.

Almost half or 46 percent cited the unexplained spending of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education under Duterte.

This was followed by her refusal to answer investigations regarding the use of confidential funds (36 percent), alleged ill-gotten wealth (25 percent), her threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez (24 percent) and her alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings during her tenure as mayor of Davao City (23 percent).

Some 17 percent said none of those in the list provided may be used as basis for impeachment, while others selected issues such as her failure to condemn China (13 percent), her supposed lack of self-control (12 percent), her trip to Germany during the onslaught of Typhoon Carina (11 percent) and ordering her subordinates to prepare accomplishment reports regarding the use of confidential funds (11 percent).

The respondents were allowed to select multiple answers. The survey had 2,160 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus two percent.

Expedite

The complainants and endorsers of the three impeachment complaints against Vice President Duterte urged yesterday the House of Representatives to immediately act on it before the regular session ends on Feb. 7.

At a press conference, former Bayan Muna congressman Teddy Casiño said they will ramp up their actions next week to push Congress to do its duty and act on the impeachment of Duterte.

“Basically, the complainants in the first, second and third complaints agreed to call on Congress to act on our complaints as soon as possible. Whether they consolidate it, or whether they will just support one of it. Whatever it is, they have to act within the session days allotted until Feb. 7, 2025,” Casiño said.

“What we want is for Congress to immediately transmit to the Speaker our complaints and then to the committee on justice so that it will then be tackled and decided upon,” he added. “We want that by Feb. 7, it will be submitted already to the Senate and be acted upon by the Upper Chamber.”

The complainants and endorsers of the three impeachment complaints against Duterte echoed that they want Sara “impeached” before the end of 2025.

Casiño stated that whatever happens to the impeachment complaints against Duterte in the Senate, it will become an issue among senatorial candidates for the voters.

“The voters will judge the lawmakers, particularly the senators running for re-election in the midterm elections this year, on the position that they have taken on the impeachment against Duterte,” Casiño said.

“We have discussed and we are open to the possibility that the impeachment trial will be stretched and will reach the next (20th) Congress,” he added.

Referencing feng shui, Casiño noted that the months of January and February, part of the first quarter, is “perfect timing,” because it was in these months that “political upheavals” usually happened in the country.

“Let us remember that the period of January and February are months of upheavals in politics in the past. EDSA 1986 was February. EDSA Dos was January. First quarter storm was also January. There are many political upheavals every first quarter of the year,” Casiño said.

Not enough numbers

ACT Teacher party-list Rep. France Castro admitted yesterday that they have not gathered enough numbers to meet a third of the House or at least 106 lawmakers to impeach Duterte.

The support of 106 congressmen will short cut the process of impeachment against Duterte as Congress can immediately transmit the complaints for trial in the Senate.

Castro said that so far only six congressmen have endorsed the three impeachment complaints against Duterte. The three complaints were put on hold by the Office of the House Secretary General while waiting for the filing of the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte.

“As of now, there are six endorsers of the three impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte. We are still waiting for the fourth complaint because there are some who want to join,” Castro said. “So, as of the moment we have not gathered enough number yet. But this is our effort to encourage our colleagues in Congress.”

For her part, Gabriela women’s party Rep. Liza Maza said they have already gathered 111 signatures of people and organizations supporting the three impeachment complaints against Duterte.

“The first complaint got 25 signatures of individuals and organizations. The second complaint has 74 signatures of individuals and organizations while the third complaint has 12 signatures,” Maza said.

Maza said these signatories represent some organizations, numbering to 1,000 or more, based on her estimate. –  Jose Rodel Clapano