SWS survey shows 'public clamor' for VP Duterte impeachment, House told | ABS-CBN
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SWS survey shows 'public clamor' for VP Duterte impeachment, House told
SWS survey shows 'public clamor' for VP Duterte impeachment, House told
Vivienne Gulla,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 09, 2025 06:40 PM PHT
MANILA — The latest Social Weather Stations survey showing that more Filipinos agree with moves to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte than those who oppose it should prompt the House of Representatives to start proceedings, movers of the complaints against her said.
MANILA — The latest Social Weather Stations survey showing that more Filipinos agree with moves to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte than those who oppose it should prompt the House of Representatives to start proceedings, movers of the complaints against her said.
The SWS survey, conducted between December 12 and 18, 2024, suggested that 41 percent of Filipinos support the ouster of Duterte, while 35 percent oppose it, and 19 percent are undecided.
The SWS survey, conducted between December 12 and 18, 2024, suggested that 41 percent of Filipinos support the ouster of Duterte, while 35 percent oppose it, and 19 percent are undecided.
“Parang sinasabi rito na ang Kongreso ay kumilos na para tugunan itong clamor for accountability doon sa ginawa ng vice president,” ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro, who endorsed the second impeachment complaint against Duterte, said.
“Parang sinasabi rito na ang Kongreso ay kumilos na para tugunan itong clamor for accountability doon sa ginawa ng vice president,” ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro, who endorsed the second impeachment complaint against Duterte, said.
(The survey seems to be telling the House to act and address the clamor for accountability for what the vice president has done)
(The survey seems to be telling the House to act and address the clamor for accountability for what the vice president has done)
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The complaints center on alleged irregularities in how the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which Duterte used to head, used confidential funds in 2022 and 2023.
The complaints center on alleged irregularities in how the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which Duterte used to head, used confidential funds in 2022 and 2023.
Duterte has denied the allegations, and said last December that at least the complaints will give her a chance to address them.
Duterte has denied the allegations, and said last December that at least the complaints will give her a chance to address them.
“If they will not act upon the impeachment complaints, which are based on the findings of the committee hearings, they have so much explaining to do to the Filipino people,” lawyer Amando Ligutan, who represents the filers of the third impeachment complaint, added.
“If they will not act upon the impeachment complaints, which are based on the findings of the committee hearings, they have so much explaining to do to the Filipino people,” lawyer Amando Ligutan, who represents the filers of the third impeachment complaint, added.
COMPLAINTS STILL WITH HOUSE SEC-GEN
The Palace has distanced itself from the impeachment bids, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. saying he does not see how the proceedings would help the country.
The Palace has distanced itself from the impeachment bids, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. saying he does not see how the proceedings would help the country.
Members of the Senate, which would act as an impeachment court if the complaints prosper, have also been cool to the idea, calling it divisive.
Members of the Senate, which would act as an impeachment court if the complaints prosper, have also been cool to the idea, calling it divisive.
Three weeks since the third impeachment complaint was filed against Vice President Duterte, the complaints are still with the Office of the House Secretary General and have yet to be referred to the Office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Three weeks since the third impeachment complaint was filed against Vice President Duterte, the complaints are still with the Office of the House Secretary General and have yet to be referred to the Office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco had explained that some lawmakers had asked for time to consider endorsing an existing or a new impeachment complaint.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco had explained that some lawmakers had asked for time to consider endorsing an existing or a new impeachment complaint.
Groups are planning a series of rallies — on January 18th, 25th, 27th and 31st — to pressure the House to act on the complaints.
Groups are planning a series of rallies — on January 18th, 25th, 27th and 31st — to pressure the House to act on the complaints.
“Baka ito ‘yung maging triggering factor o baka mag-push sa ating mga kasamahan sa Kongreso na i-usad na itong impeachment complaint,” Castro said.
“Baka ito ‘yung maging triggering factor o baka mag-push sa ating mga kasamahan sa Kongreso na i-usad na itong impeachment complaint,” Castro said.
(These might be the triggering factor or might push our colleagues at the House to let the impeachment complaint proceed)
(These might be the triggering factor or might push our colleagues at the House to let the impeachment complaint proceed)
'SURVEY RESULTS NO SURPRISE'
The SWS survey came as no surprise to complainants in the impeachment complaints and to some House leaders.
The SWS survey came as no surprise to complainants in the impeachment complaints and to some House leaders.
At least two House members have attributed it findings by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, including allegedly fabricated acknowledgement receipts for funds released.
At least two House members have attributed it findings by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, including allegedly fabricated acknowledgement receipts for funds released.
"This is about accountability," House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega of La Union said, adding evidence against Duterte are "glaring".
"This is about accountability," House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega of La Union said, adding evidence against Duterte are "glaring".
"The Filipino people deserve answers, and their support for impeachment shows they are demanding transparency and justice," he said.
"The Filipino people deserve answers, and their support for impeachment shows they are demanding transparency and justice," he said.
“The public is demanding accountability, and this survey reflects their growing frustration over the glaring irregularities surrounding the vice president’s actions,” House Assistant Majority Leader Jefferson Khonghun of Zambales added.
“The public is demanding accountability, and this survey reflects their growing frustration over the glaring irregularities surrounding the vice president’s actions,” House Assistant Majority Leader Jefferson Khonghun of Zambales added.
Ligutan, who filed the complaint on behalf of priests, lawyers and members of civil society organizations, said the allegations have "struck a nerve" among the Filipino people.
Ligutan, who filed the complaint on behalf of priests, lawyers and members of civil society organizations, said the allegations have "struck a nerve" among the Filipino people.
"We talk to people on the ground. There is palpable broad-based support to the moves to hold [the vice president accountable] for the controversial manner through which she disposed multi-million public funds...and to the even more controversial stance of not explaining to the public how she did it," he said.
"We talk to people on the ground. There is palpable broad-based support to the moves to hold [the vice president accountable] for the controversial manner through which she disposed multi-million public funds...and to the even more controversial stance of not explaining to the public how she did it," he said.
Akbayan Party-List Rep. Percival Cendaña, who has also endorsed one of the three complaints, said the survey results reflect “growing public consensus for her removal from office, driven by mounting frustrations over her questionable leadership and actions”.
Akbayan Party-List Rep. Percival Cendaña, who has also endorsed one of the three complaints, said the survey results reflect “growing public consensus for her removal from office, driven by mounting frustrations over her questionable leadership and actions”.
Ligutan said he believes Congress still has time to tackle the impeachment complaints against Duterte.
Ligutan said he believes Congress still has time to tackle the impeachment complaints against Duterte.
“Nothing can prohibit the Senate from coming up with its own rules saying that the next Senate, could still tackle the impeachment trial that this present Senate might undergo," he also said.
“Nothing can prohibit the Senate from coming up with its own rules saying that the next Senate, could still tackle the impeachment trial that this present Senate might undergo," he also said.
Read More:
Sara Duterte
House of Representatives
Impeachment
Impeachment complaints
France Castro
Amando Ligutan
Paolo Ortega
Jefferson Khonghun
Percival Cendaña
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