Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III did not call for the immediate conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte without due process, contrary to claims circulating on social media. A Facebook post by user Eduardo Ortega Jr. included a fabricated quote suggesting that Sotto advocated for bypassing Senate rules during the ongoing impeachment trial.
Dissecting the Viral Misinformation
As of writing, there is no credible evidence or official statement supporting the claim, and Sotto has emphasized following constitutional procedures in the impeachment trial.
Fact Check Source
- The viral post has garnered nearly 10,000 reactions.
- Previous misinformation has falsely claimed Sotto suggested fewer than necessary votes to convict.
The misinformation stems from a graphic that misquotes Sotto as saying, 'Dapat ma convict na kaagad si VP Sara Duterte, huwag na natin sundin ang rules.' Sotto has consistently reiterated the importance of adhering to constitutional protocols during the impeachment process.
In a May 2 radio interview, Sotto remarked that any alteration of impeachment trial rules could 'becloud the process.' He further affirmed that the Senate must convene as an impeachment court and follow the Constitution after receiving the Articles of Impeachment.
Sotto's past role as Senate president saw him advocating for constitutional adherence. His statements against the archiving of impeachment articles in 2025 reflect his commitment to due process, emphasizing the necessity of a two-thirds majority for conviction.
The Challenge of Misinformation
The spread of false information surrounding political figures like Sotto and Duterte underscores a broader issue of misinformation in the digital age. Fact-checking organizations continue to play a critical role in verifying claims made on social media, especially during high-stakes political events.