Vice President Sara Duterte can no longer derail the impeachment process. She must provide credible answers to allegations including misuse of confidential funds and unexplained wealth, not only to senator-jurors but also to the public watching the trial.
Opportunity for Redemption
If innocent, the trial could be her "one moment in time" to clear her name and boost her 2028 presidential bid. Her apologists claim she expects fair treatment in the Senate, making this the moment she has awaited.
Consequences of Conviction
If proven guilty, she faces perpetual disqualification from any government post. More significantly, conviction would expose the Duterte family as frauds, contradicting their image as simple, anti-drug leaders. Confirmed bank transactions by the Anti-Money Laundering Council and alleged dealings with drug lords could shatter public trust.
Public Perception Matters
Even if the Senate fails to convict, public opinion may damage her. Recent surveys show her presidential preference ratings stagnant, unlike Leni Robredo's, despite Robredo's non-candidacy. People seek alternatives.
Open-Minded Observation
I approach the trial with an open mind, observing arguments and Sara's demeanor if she appears. Her absence could also inform judgment. Initial impressions include curiosity about the Dutertes' defensiveness over bank accounts, exemplified by the dismissal of Deputy Ombudsman Carandang—a move the Supreme Court voided. Non-lawyers question why the President overstepped to conceal accounts if they were innocent. Perhaps Sara will answer in the Senate trial, or perhaps not. Let us remain open-minded.
Meanwhile, the next chapter awaits.
