Nearly half of Filipino adults disagree with the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, according to a recent survey by public opinion research firm WR Numero.
In a poll conducted from February 10 to 18, results revealed that 47% of respondents opposed the House of Representatives’ decision to impeach Duterte over allegations including misuse of confidential funds and corruption during her tenure as Education Secretary. Only 33% supported the impeachment, while 20% were undecided.
Opposition to impeachment was strongest in Mindanao, Duterte’s home region, with 66% against it. Conversely, Metro Manila residents showed the highest support at 48%, but also had the largest number of undecided respondents at 40%.
“A plurality of Filipinos oppose the impeachment, but public opinion remains largely divided,” said WR Numero President and CEO Cleve Arguelles, noting that Luzon and Visayas could become battleground regions due to higher levels of undecided respondents.
The same survey found that most Filipinos (56%) prefer President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to remain neutral in Duterte’s impeachment trial. Marcos and Duterte, who once ran on a united ticket, have seen declining approval ratings since their political split, with Marcos’s satisfaction rating dropping to a record low of 30% and Duterte’s rating falling to 41%.
House representatives disputed the survey, with Manila Rep. Joel Chua stating, “Other surveys like SWS and OCTA show substantial public support for impeachment. There’s even one showing 73% in favor.”
Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, another House impeachment prosecutor, emphasized that senators should ultimately base their verdict on the merits of the impeachment articles rather than public surveys. Flores and Chua also expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would respect the political nature of impeachment proceedings.
