The Senate Impeachment Court stated that recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results regarding the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte serve as an opportunity to reinforce its commitment to transparency and rules-based neutrality. Impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol made the announcement on Thursday, October 29.
According to Tongol, the tribunal regards the SWS surveys—conducted from September 21 to 27, alongside an earlier August 2026 poll—as proof of an active citizenry that acknowledges the Senate as the exclusive constitutional body authorized to hear and resolve impeachment cases.
“While the Impeachment Court welcomes public attentiveness to this historic democratic exercise, let it be unmistakable that survey metrics measure public sentiment, whereas the Senator-judges are bound by oath to render judgment strictly on the basis of law and admissible evidence,”
Tongol said in an official statement, adding that the tribunal approaches the figures with both confidence in its processes and a steady commitment to earning public trust.
Data from the SWS five-point scale indicated that 28 percent of respondents held “much trust” while 35 percent expressed “little trust” in the final vote. Meanwhile, the court noted that 32 percent of Filipinos remain undecided.
“(It is) respecting that nearly a third of the nation is rightly withholding judgment until the Defense presents its case and the trial is complete,”
Tongol explained. He also highlighted that 50 percent of citizens agreed the Senate weighs both sides fairly, while partisan claims of bias balanced out at 17 percent pro-prosecution and 18 percent pro-defense. This lines up with findings from the August 2026 National Momentum Survey, which showed a symmetrical 36.1 to 34.2 percent fairness split.
The court found encouragement in the SWS finding that 51 percent of Filipinos, translating to a +25 net score, intend to accept the final verdict.
This institutional baseline matches Momentum data showing 53.5 percent trust in the court, 65.8 percent approval for Senator and presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero, and a 38.6 percent plurality favoring an evidence-based decision over public opinion at 30.8 percent.
“Rather than treating these numbers with complacency, the Impeachment Court views the remaining undecided and skeptical segments of the public as a continuing challenge to demonstrate transparent, rules-based impartiality,” Tongol emphasized.
The Senate Impeachment Court is scheduled to resume proceedings on November 9, moving forward to allow the respondent to present evidence concerning Article II, which addresses allegations of unexplained or ill-gotten wealth.
Tongol assured that the tribunal will maintain strict adherence to evidentiary rules and guarantee full due process for all parties involved.