Securing a conviction in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte may become more difficult if more of her allies are elected to the Senate in the upcoming May midterm elections, according to Bukidnon 2nd District Representative Jonathan Keith Flores.
Flores made the statement after the latest Pulse Asia survey showed several Duterte-backed candidates gaining ground in the senatorial race. While the House prosecution panel remains confident in their evidence, Flores said the trial is ultimately a political exercise and senators will consider public sentiment.
“If the outcome of the national elections would lead to the event na marami na rin ‘yung supporters ni VP in the Senate, then it will make it more difficult on the part of the public prosecutors to convince them on how they will vote as far as the impeachment is concerned. Kasi we all know naman, it’s a political exercise. So the more that the Vice President has allies in the Senate, the more difficult it will be on the part of the public prosecutors to secure a conviction,” Flores said.
He added that no matter how strong the evidence is, it is still up to the senators to assess its weight.
“You cannot go beyond ano ‘yung na-secure mo as evidence in supporting your case… Whether or not it is enough to convince the senators or the senator-judges, that would really depend on the senator-judges themselves. Because ang evidence is evidence… How they appreciate it will be a question. Is it enough to convince them?”
“Or is it not enough to make them change their minds as to whether they continue to support the Vice President? And of course, you have the public opinion. That’s the ultimate test talaga. Kasi the senators, even if they say that they will be judging it based on what was presented, they still will listen to the people,” he said.
Flores clarified that the survey results have no impact on the panel’s preparations and that some members are currently focused on their local reelection campaigns.