A House senior leader said the evidence presented during the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte has significantly influenced public opinion, citing what he described as strong documentary and testimonial proof linked to the allegations.
In an interview, House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor said members of the House Committee on Justice observed a noticeable shift in the public’s reaction as the hearings unfolded.
“Nararamdaman namin. Personally, I can see lalo na sa reaction ng mga tao,” he remarked.
The Iloilo lawmaker rejected claims that the impeachment inquiry was merely a “fishing expedition,” insisting that lawmakers already had substantial evidence before the hearings began.
“When they say that this is a fishing expedition, that’s wrong, because the net is already full,” he said.
The solon added that evidence gathered by the House since last year could be directly linked to Duterte. He also referenced the Vice President’s controversial online briefing in November 2024, during which she publicly issued threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“You can’t deny a movie that was seen by every Filipino. And it shows the character of a high official,” he said.
The House official also said Duterte’s decision not to personally appear before the Justice panel or send legal representatives to answer the accusations may have contributed to declining public trust and increasing support for the impeachment proceedings.
“It did not help na hindi rin nagpakita ang VP at ang kanyang mga abogado,” Defensor said, adding that the absence likely affected public perception of the case.
He argued that Duterte could have improved her standing had she directly addressed the allegations during the hearings.
“If you don’t respond and if you don’t testify na pwede mo naman sanang gawin doon pa lang, sigurado akong baka tumaas ang rating niya kung sinasagot nila sa Committee on Justice pa lang,” he said.
Defensor maintained that the House panel gave Duterte multiple opportunities to participate and defend herself throughout the proceedings, but she and her legal team opted not to attend.
After weeks of hearings, the House Committee on Justice found probable cause to impeach Duterte and subsequently approved the committee report, resolution, and Articles of Impeachment against her.
The House plenary is scheduled to vote on the committee report and Articles of Impeachment on May 11.