PolSci students watch ‘political circus’

MANILA, Philippines —  A 19-year-old political science student spent three days of his break between semesters watching the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte – in person.

Mesiah Ignacio was at the Senate plenary hall and watched the proceedings from the gallery allocated for the general public.

Interviewed by The STAR after Day 3 of the trial, Ignacio said he was glad to witness history even if it meant watching a “political circus.”

“For the experience, since it’s immersive, compared to online. You can see the circus onsite. Better than online,” he said.

Ignacio said he could not hide his dismay at some senators, singling out Sen. Robinhood Padila’s “University of Prison” remark.

Ignacio’s friends, 21-year-old Jasper Rojas and 20-year-old Mark Owen Logro, joined him on his third day watching the trial.

They are all Political Science students at Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Logro said the Vice President should be held accountable for her threats to the President.

The students said Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s remark that the Vice President’s kill remark was merely a “conditional threat” she uttered because of alleged threats to her own life was incredible.

Asked if he would watch again, Ignacio said he would like to register to watch the trial onsite when the prosecution fields their “Mary Grace Piattos” witness to bolster their Article of Impeachment for Duterte’s alleged confidential funds misuse.

“As (actress) Jodi Sta. Maria said, we haven’t reached the exciting part,” Logro said.