Filipinos were urged to closely follow the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, with a House leader warning that the proceedings will test not only one official’s accountability but also the strength of the country’s democratic institutions.
Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said public opinion has a role in the historic trial, but citizens should go beyond online reactions by understanding the allegations, monitoring the proceedings, and helping safeguard the integrity of the constitutional process.
“Well, the public opinion is very important, especially if we go beyond just opinions but actually participate in the discussions, try to understand the issues at hand, and really monitor the process as it goes through the Senate,” he said.
The House of Representatives earlier transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate after voting 257-25-9 to impeach Duterte, leaving the decision to 24 senator-judges who will determine whether to acquit or convict the Vice President.
The lawmaker said the public must recognize that the trial carries implications beyond partisan politics or the fate of a single official.
“The people have to understand, they have an important role and stake in the entire process. There may be 24 senator-judges in the Senate, but they have to realize that it’s not just the Vice President who’s in trial here, it’s the state of democracy that is being examined here,” he said.
He noted that the proceedings will show whether Philippine institutions can hold the country’s highest officials accountable under the Constitution, especially amid political pressure, competing narratives, and public attempts to shape the discussion.
“Our ability to hold our highest officials accountable, their fidelity to the oath and to their oath upholding the Constitution. These are the things that are at stake,” he said.
The trial is expected to unfold amid heightened tensions in the Senate, including debates over remote participation and the legal situation of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Despite these developments, the House leader said recent political drama should not divert attention from the issues the impeachment court must resolve.
“Well, after what happened yesterday, I find it really interesting how this will eventually proceed. But what I’m hopeful is that this will not distract them, nor will it distract the people from the real issues that need to be addressed,” he said.
He urged the Senate to keep the proceedings moving and ensure that other controversies do not become an obstacle to a fair and speedy trial.
“We are in the process of preparing for impeachment trial, and I hope that this time, theatrics or other issues will not serve as an impediment to a fair and speedy trial for the Vice President’s impeachment,” he emphasized.
While acknowledging that political drama is often part of public proceedings, he warned that spectacle should not overshadow the evidence.
“We cannot allow the theatrics to dominate the headlines and distract the attention and the appreciation of the people,” he said.
He also said the trial could give Duterte the opportunity to answer the allegations against her before both the impeachment court and the public.
“I’m hopeful because this could also be the opportunity for her to have her side heard. Not only by the impeachment court, but also by the Filipino people,” he said.
The impeachment trial, he said, ultimately belongs not only to senators and prosecutors but also to citizens who must decide whether they still believe constitutional accountability can work in the Philippines.