Show Proof, Not Surveys – Filipinos Mistake Impeachment for a Popularity Contest
The Perils of Trial by Media: How Surveys Distort the Impeachment of Sara Duterte
In the democratic framework of the Philippines, an impeachment trial is meant to be a solemn judicial process—an instrument of accountability rooted in evidence, legal scrutiny, and constitutional integrity. However, as the looming impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte unfold, we are witnessing yet another dangerous distortion of reality: the deliberate weaponization of public opinion surveys to manipulate the perception of guilt or innocence.
This is not just a disservice to justice; it is a fundamental betrayal of democratic principles.
Surveys as a Tool for Media Manipulation
Instead of allowing the judicial process to take its rightful course, certain media organizations—either out of laziness, complicity, or the chase for ratings—are reducing the impeachment to a mere popularity contest. Their reliance on public opinion surveys to frame the discourse creates an illusion that the proceedings should be determined by approval ratings rather than legal merit.
This is the same flawed narrative that has plagued Philippine politics for decades. If one were to follow the logic of these media-driven surveys, a high popularity rating absolves a leader of corruption, abuse of power, or any constitutional violations. But history has proven otherwise—authoritarian figures, strongmen, and corrupt politicians have often thrived on manufactured popularity while operating above the law.
“A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good just because it’s accepted by a majority.”
— Booker T. Washington
Impeachment is not a barangay-level beauty contest where the winner is determined by a show of hands. It is a judicial mechanism that requires due process, the presentation of factual evidence, and the strict application of the rule of law. The public’s perception—whether real or fabricated—should never override the constitutional duty of Congress to investigate and determine the truth.
The Duterte Propaganda Machine: How Disinformation Clouds Public Opinion
The situation becomes even more alarming when one considers the Duterte family’s well-documented use of propaganda, troll farms, and mass disinformation. This is not speculation but a fact supported by numerous investigative reports. Since Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency, a vast and sophisticated network of social media operatives has been deployed to manufacture consent, attack critics, and control the narrative.
Sara Duterte benefits from this machinery. Any attempt to hold her accountable is swiftly met with a barrage of misleading headlines, doctored surveys, and coordinated disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting legal processes.
Surveys showing that “majority of Filipinos” reject her impeachment must be scrutinized. Who commissioned these surveys? What were the methodologies used? How were the questions framed? In the digital age, where bot-driven engagements can be manipulated to simulate mass approval, it is dangerously naïve to take these results at face value.
The real battle is not between Sara Duterte and Congress. It is between truth and deception, between legitimate judicial proceedings and an artificial media spectacle designed to sway public opinion through disinformation.
Chinese Influence and the Duterte Loyalty Network
There is also the unsettling reality of foreign influence in shaping Philippine political affairs. Duterte’s close ties with China—both during Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency and now under Sara Duterte’s political ascent—cannot be ignored. The Philippines has already seen the ramifications of these alliances in territorial compromises, economic dealings, and covert operations to undermine democratic institutions.
It is no secret that China has mastered the art of cyber warfare and information control. The presence of Chinese-backed troll farms, coupled with Duterte’s existing propaganda networks, suggests a coordinated effort to manipulate domestic political discourse. Could these forces be actively interfering in the impeachment process? The possibility is not far-fetched.
Why the Judiciary Must Reject the Popularity Game
The impeachment process must remain untainted by these manipulative tactics. Congress and the Senate have a duty to uphold their constitutional role as impartial arbiters of truth. If the trial is reduced to a spectacle dictated by surveys, then it will set a dangerous precedent where those in power can evade accountability simply by controlling media narratives.
The question that lawmakers must ask is simple: Is Sara Duterte guilty of offenses warranting impeachment? That determination must be based on facts, not popularity.
The Philippine public must also recognize their role in resisting this manipulation. Being swayed by propaganda is tantamount to surrendering our democracy to forces that prioritize power over justice.
Conclusion: Democracy Under Siege
This is not just about Sara Duterte. This is about the long-term consequences of allowing media-driven public perception to dictate judicial outcomes. If the impeachment is hijacked by disinformation campaigns and popularity polls, then no corrupt official will ever face justice again.
The Duterte propaganda machine—fueled by mass media manipulation, troll farms, and foreign backers—threatens the very essence of democratic governance. Filipinos must wake up to this reality before our institutions become nothing more than stage props in a scripted political drama.
The rule of law must prevail, unshackled from the chains of media deception. Otherwise, we are not just failing to hold Sara Duterte accountable—we are dismantling democracy itself.
