The Manila Times
NEARLY seven out of 10 Filipinos said they support an impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, a survey conducted by OCTA Research showed. In its Tugon ng Masa survey conducted from March 19 to 25, 69 percent of Filipinos said they want Duterte to face a Senate trial to address the allegations against her, while 28 percent disagreed and 3 percent were undecided. Visayas and National Capital Region respondents were among the highest who said that they want Duterte to face a trial at 83 and 81 percent, respectively, while only 61 percent of Mindanao respondents said they want a trial. Conversely, 38 percent of Mindanao respondents do not want Duterte to face an impeachment trial. Socioeconomic Class D and ABC respondents were the highest in saying that Duterte should have a trial at the Senate at 72 and 71 percent, while 41 percent of Class E said Duterte should not face the trial. Younger Filipinos ages 18-24 were also the highest among age groups who want Vice President Duterte to face an impeachment hearing, while the lowest is among ages 45-54 at 60 percent. OCTA said the findings underscore broad public support for impeachment as a mechanism for accountability and due process. “Overall, the results may suggest a public that is not only highly aware of the issue, but also inclined to favor formal, rules-based mechanisms in resolving political controversies,” OCTA said. It also said that such support may be understood not only as an expression of accountability but as “an opportunity to address and respond to the allegations through a formal and transparent proceeding,” especially to the supporters of the vice president. “In this sense, the impeachment process may be viewed not solely as punitive, but also as a mechanism for validation and resolution,” OCTA said. The survey had 1,200 respondents across the country and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent nationwide. Reacting to the survey, Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima said that the survey only proves that the “script” that the impeachment trial should not be continued due to the oil crisis is just a diversion to escape accountability. “Seeking solutions to the crisis and holding accountable those who embezzled public funds — depriving our fellow citizens of the services they deserve, especially in times of need — must and can be done at the same time,” de Lima said. Sara hits Madriaga Meanwhile, Duterte lashed out at her alleged bagman after his testimony at the House Justice Committee on Tuesday, saying he “cannot even weave a believable lie.” In his testimony, Ramil Madriaga said that a former professor of Duterte, lawyer Ryan Quilala, told him that she was “struggling with her academics,” and she was “habitually rude and violent to other students.” He also claimed that Quilala used his influence in San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) to ensure that Duterte received passing grades despite her poor academic performance. But in a statement on Wednesday, Duterte said she took issue with the claims of Madriaga, whom she described as a “bar flunker and a kidnapping suspect.” “I completed my studies on my own terms. I placed a higher premium on living a well-rounded life rather than pursuing academic excellence. I never asked any professor for special accommodation for my grades because the bare minimum was easy enough to meet. I was never the subject of any complaint for rudeness or violence against other students at SSC-R College of Law,” Duterte said. The vice president received her law degree in May 2005. She also reiterated that she passed the September 2005 bar exams with a general weighted average of 80, five points above the minimum passing grade. Duterte said that Madriaga and his cohorts at the House of Representatives “do not come close to my capacity to achieve results with very little effort because they cannot even weave a believable lie, much less follow the rule of law.” “This mini-trial in the Committee on Justice is true to form for some of its members: abuse and corruption appear to be the only things they are capable of,” Duterte said. Duterte has challenged the hearings before the Supreme Court, which has not acted on her petition to stop the proceedings.
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