The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte is unfolding in an information environment where fake news can easily shape public opinion, with about half of Filipinos saying they still lack enough knowledge about the evidence and allegations against her, a political analyst warned Saturday.
Cleve V. Arguelles, president of WR Numero and a political scientist who studies public sentiment on political issues, said the information gap should concern both the House prosecution team and the Senate impeachment court as the country prepares for one of its most closely watched political trials in recent years.
“Yes. I think nakikita na po natin ngayon, we have seen that in action that beginning with the House impeachment proceedings, hanggang ngayon nag-convene yung impeachment court, lumalangoy sa mga fake news yung ating mga kababayan in almost all platforms,” Arguelles said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
The House of Representatives voted 257-25-9 to impeach Duterte and transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. The case involves allegations of misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other officials. Duterte has denied wrongdoing.
Arguelles said the Senate impeachment court is facing a media landscape far different from past impeachment trials, when the public relied mainly on traditional news organizations to follow proceedings.
“And this is a challenge not only for the House prosecution team but also the Senate as impeachment court. I think yes, we’ve had different impeachment trials in the past, pero ito ato yung unang makakaharap ng Senate impeachment court na kailangan nilang maintindihan paano ‘yung disinformation,” he said.
He noted that previous impeachment proceedings could depend more heavily on the press to explain developments to the public. This time, however, the trial will unfold in a space shaped by social media, partisan networks, and individuals who may try to influence public interpretation in real time.
“Kasi before, they can rely on the media to accurately report on the proceedings. They can rely on the media to truthfully report the news, pero papaano po ngayon na may social media? Maraming mga hindi participants to the trial that will take advantage of the situation,” Arguelles said.
The trial also comes at a politically sensitive time, with Duterte still seen as a major figure in the 2028 presidential race and the Senate’s political balance expected to affect the two-thirds vote required for conviction.
Arguelles said about 50 percent of Filipinos believe they do not have enough information about the evidence and allegations against Duterte, a gap that could leave the public more vulnerable to selective claims, manipulated narratives, and propaganda.
“About half, 50% po ng ating mga kababayan nagsasabi na kulang yung kanilang kaalaman tungkol sa ebidensya at alegasyon laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte. So I think ito yung babantayan sa Senate Impeachment Court whether yung public understanding ba ng evidence, public understanding ng mga allegations laban sa kanya, whether that will change,” he said.
He said the finding should serve as a warning to institutions involved in the impeachment process, as public understanding will be critical to maintaining trust in the proceedings.
“But right now, alarmingly, marami po ng mga kababayan natin ang nagsasabi na hindi sapat ‘yung kanilang kaalaman at information sa ebidensya kaugnay po ng impeachment,” Arguelles added.