Survey shows 41% support VP Sara’s ouster, sparks public distrust: Solons

Vice President Sara Duterte getting a 41 percent support for her potential impeachment is a clear indication of public distrust over her purported mishandling of P612.5 million of her confidential funds, administration lawmakers said Thursday.

House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V and House Assistant Majority Leader Jefferson Khonghun cited the recent survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showing that 41 percent of Filipinos are backing the ouster of the VP, outpacing those in oppose (35 percent), and undecided (19 percent).

“The numbers don’t lie. The public is demanding accountability, and this survey reflects their growing frustration over the glaring irregularities surrounding the Vice President’s actions,” Khonghun said. 

Duterte has been in hot water since mid-last year over the so-called irregularities in her use of confidential funds — P500 million in the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and P112.5 million in the Department of Education, which she headed for two years. She resigned on 19 July last year.

A huge portion of the secret was flagged by the Commission on Audit (CoA) and was later found by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, which probe the spending, that the expenses were allegedly supported by fictitious acknowledgment receipts (ARs).

The panel uncovered that the confidential funds intended for official purposes were disbursed to unauthorized individuals, including security officers instead of designated special disbursing officers, who testified that their actions were only in compliance with Duterte's marching orders.

The findings of the congressional investigation have resulted in the filing of three impeachment complaints against Duterte with another petition expecting to come next week.

The petitioners coming from the multi-sectoral accused her of culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust.

The VP has repeatedly denied the alleged wrongdoings. 

But according to Ortega, the evidence against her is clear: from the misuse of confidential funds to a pattern of governance riddled with questions.

"The Filipino people deserve answers, and their support for impeachment shows they are demanding transparency and justice,” he lamented.

Echoing his peers, Akabayan Rep. Percival Cendaña, one of the endorsers of the impeachment complaints, stressed that the figures from the survey are an obvious indication of a consensus from the growing public to have Duterte removed from office.

"This survey not only validates the growing distrust towards the Vice President but also highlights the Filipino people’s resolve to hold the powerful accountable," Cendaña averred.

Duterte has maintained that there is no truth in the accusations against her,  dismissing the House probe as “well-funded” and a “coordinated political attack” aimed at discrediting her with future political ambitions.

The VP is widely believed to be running for the presidency in the 2028 national polls and her possible impeachment, if successfully hurdled by both House and the Senate, could be the biggest trouble she may face.