Electoral popularity is no shield against constitutional scrutiny, the House impeachment team warned, cautioning against using public opinion to gauge an official’s liability.
House impeachment spokesperson Robert “Ace” Barbers issued the reminder following an OCTA Research poll positioning Vice President Sara Duterte ahead of former Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, 43% to 34%, in a hypothetical 2028 presidential matchup.
Barbers emphasized that survey results have no bearing on guilt, constitutional duty, or the weight of evidence in Duterte’s impeachment proceedings, nor should they sway senator-judges evaluating allegations of confidential fund misuse, unexplained wealth, bribery, and grave threats, claims the Vice President has consistently denied.
“Hindi naman basehan itong popularity contest para dito sa usapin ng impeachment trial,” Barbers said in an online briefing.
He stressed that a politician’s standing at the polls cannot supplant constitutional mechanisms designed to assess fitness for office.
“Regardless whether nakakuha ka ng 100 million votes or one million votes, it does not exempt you from accountability or pananagutan kung ikaw ay may pagkakasala,” he noted, adding that high polling figures offer no free pass: “Hindi ibig sabihin na ikaw ay popular ay exempted ka o mayroong lisensya sa mga hindi karapat-dapat o mga paglabag sa batas.”
Clarifying the nature of the trial, Barbers noted that impeachment focuses on removal from office and potential disqualification from future public service rather than criminal imprisonment. Consequently, he urged senator-judges to ignore political noise and public sentiment.
“Kailangan nakatutok tayo dito sa ebidensya,” he urged.
Echoing this stance, House prosecution panel spokesperson and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co stated that the trial’s sole objective is enforcing public accountability, determining whether the alleged infractions occurred and if they render Duterte unfit to remain Vice President.