Prosecution unfazed by survey showing Sara Duterte as preferred presidential bet

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The House prosecution panel remained unfazed amid the latest Pulse Asia survey showing Vice President Sara Duterte as the most preferred presidential candidate.

“Assuming that the results are accurate and people trust her, all the more that she should be held accountable, and that is through evidence. The prosecution has been able to present evidence to back up our allegation. All the more that we should evaluate if she betrayed the trust of the people,” private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa, Jr. said in a press conference.

He said the survey period did not cover the days when the billions of bank transactions and millions of undeclared assets under the name of the Vice President and her husband were revealed in the past week.

“Maybe it will not be accurate to say that no matter the results of this trial, that they will vote for her. In fairness to the people who made part of the survey, it could be premature to make that judgment about their opinion. Let’s remember, it was sometime in September, and there were evidence revealed after the survey was conducted, such as what we heard from Atty. Cabrera,” Tolosa added.

A Pulse Asia survey conducted from September 17 to 24 showed Duterte leading seven potential presidential contenders with 50% voter preference.

Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo ranked second with 26%, followed by Senator Raffy Tulfo at 12%, and Senator Risa Hontiveros at 3%.

House prosecutor Joel Chua said that the survey could be premature since only Duterte has declared her intention to run for president in 2028. He added that the Vice President is facing an impeachment, which could result in her removal and perpetual disqualification from public office.

“We are not even sure if those names in the survey are indeed presidential contenders come 2028. To begin with, the Vice President is facing an impeachment trial. What if she gets convicted? That would disqualify her,” Chua said.

“Secondly, former Vice President Leni [Robredo] has also been consistent in saying that she is not running in 2028. Other names are yet to declare. So as we speak, the poll is too premature. So we don’t know if the poll is mind conditioning to show our senator judges that the Vice President still enjoys support. But the question is, karapat-dapat pa ba siya sa posisyon?” he added.