Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Co asserted on Saturday, May 16, that even loyal supporters of the Duterte family are in favor of proceeding with the Senate impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Speaking at the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, the youth lawmaker pointed to a recent April 2026 OCTA Research survey showing that 69% of Filipinos support subjecting the impeached Vice President to a constitutional trial.
Co interpreted this overwhelming majority as an indication that a significant portion of Duterte’s own base wants the proceedings to move forward.
“Clear naman po ‘yung numbers, may recent survey nagsabi 69% gusto nang magsimula ‘yung trial. Kahit mga mismong supporters ni VP Sara, gustong magsimula para ma-clear ‘yung name niya,” Co said.
The House of Representatives previously impeached Duterte over a string of allegations, including the alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and grave threats directed at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
While the Vice President has consistently denied any wrongdoing and labeled the charges as baseless, she repeatedly skipped the impeachment hearings conducted by the House Committee on Justice.
Co expressed frustration over Duterte’s refusal to directly address the allegations when given the chance.
“Unfortunate lang na sa lahat ng opportunities na na-provide kay VP ay hindi niya po hinawakan ‘yun o ginamit para ibigay ‘yung sagot na taon nang hinihintay ng taumbayan,” she added.
The Makabayan lawmaker also raised concerns that recent leadership shakeups within the Senate could jeopardize the integrity of the upcoming trial, warning that Duterte’s allies might attempt to stall or completely derail the process.
“Meron namang proposisyon na hindi talaga gawin at all ang trial. ‘Wag simulan dahil reflecting ‘yung posisyon ni VP Sara, quote unquote, ‘Baseless siya,’” Co warned.
Despite potential political maneuvers in the upper chamber, Co maintained that the case against the Vice President is built on solid ground, citing official government records and public documents that warrant rigorous scrutiny in court.
“Government documents ang hawak natin para masabi na may basehan na ‘yung impeachment offenses na china-charge sa kanya. Dapat i-hash out to a full-blown trial,” Co emphasized.
Should the Senate vote to convict Duterte, she will be permanently removed from the vice presidency and perpetually disqualified from holding any public office.