Nearly half of Filipinos disagree with House impeachment of VP Sara Duterte — survey | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Nearly half of Filipinos disagree with House impeachment of VP Sara Duterte — survey
Nearly half of Filipinos disagree with House impeachment of VP Sara Duterte — survey
Harlene Delgado,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 26, 2025 04:18 PM PHT
|
Updated Feb 27, 2025 01:27 AM PHT
.jpg)
Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Office of The Vice President in Mandaluyong City on December 11, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Office of The Vice President in Mandaluyong City on December 11, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA (UPDATED) — Almost half of Filipino adults disagree with the House of Representatives' move to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, according to a non-commissioned survey by public opinion research firm WR Numero.
MANILA (UPDATED) — Almost half of Filipino adults disagree with the House of Representatives' move to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, according to a non-commissioned survey by public opinion research firm WR Numero.
The firm conducted the survey for their Philippine Public Opinion Monitor from February 10 to 18, just days after the House impeached Duterte for, among other things, alleged irregularities in the use of confidential funds, alleged bribery and corruption at the Department of Education, and the "totality of her conduct as vice president."
The firm conducted the survey for their Philippine Public Opinion Monitor from February 10 to 18, just days after the House impeached Duterte for, among other things, alleged irregularities in the use of confidential funds, alleged bribery and corruption at the Department of Education, and the "totality of her conduct as vice president."
Duterte has denied the allegations, blaming the issues she is facing on politics.
Duterte has denied the allegations, blaming the issues she is facing on politics.
WR Numero President and CEO Cleve Arguelles presented the results on Wednesday and said 47% of respondents said they oppose the impeachment of the vice president, 33% said they agree with it and 20% are undecided.
WR Numero President and CEO Cleve Arguelles presented the results on Wednesday and said 47% of respondents said they oppose the impeachment of the vice president, 33% said they agree with it and 20% are undecided.
ADVERTISEMENT
Majority of respondents who said oppose the impeachment came from Mindanao (66%) while Metro Manila respondents showed the strongest support for it, with nearly half (48%) of respondents saying they agree with it.
Majority of respondents who said oppose the impeachment came from Mindanao (66%) while Metro Manila respondents showed the strongest support for it, with nearly half (48%) of respondents saying they agree with it.
Metro Manila also had the most respondents who were undecided at 40%.
Metro Manila also had the most respondents who were undecided at 40%.
"A plurality of Filipinos oppose the impeachment, but largely public opinion is still divided," Arguelles noted.
"A plurality of Filipinos oppose the impeachment, but largely public opinion is still divided," Arguelles noted.
He said that Luzon and Visayas had the most respondents who were undecided on impeachment, "indicating that this is a battleground for public opinion" on the issue.
He said that Luzon and Visayas had the most respondents who were undecided on impeachment, "indicating that this is a battleground for public opinion" on the issue.
Meanwhile, 43% of respondents are unsure whether the Senate should convict or acquit Duterte; 34% want acquittal while 23% believe the vice president should be convicted.
Meanwhile, 43% of respondents are unsure whether the Senate should convict or acquit Duterte; 34% want acquittal while 23% believe the vice president should be convicted.
The Senate has yet to convene as an impeachment court, weeks since the House transmitted the articles of impeachment against Duterte to the upper house.
The Senate has yet to convene as an impeachment court, weeks since the House transmitted the articles of impeachment against Duterte to the upper house.
The survey also shows that majority of Filipinos, or 56% of respondents, want President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to remain neutral on impeachment.
The survey also shows that majority of Filipinos, or 56% of respondents, want President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to remain neutral on impeachment.
Less than a quarter, 24%, said he should oppose it and move for acquittal and 20% want him to push allies in the Senate to convict the vice president.
Less than a quarter, 24%, said he should oppose it and move for acquittal and 20% want him to push allies in the Senate to convict the vice president.
Arguelles said survey results suggest there is no national consensus yet regarding Duterte's impeachment and that public opinion would take more shape once the trial proceeds.
Arguelles said survey results suggest there is no national consensus yet regarding Duterte's impeachment and that public opinion would take more shape once the trial proceeds.
'DECLINING RATING'
Marcos Jr. and Duterte, who campaigned together on a platform of unity, suffered a decline in their satisfaction ratings since their falling out.
Marcos Jr. and Duterte, who campaigned together on a platform of unity, suffered a decline in their satisfaction ratings since their falling out.
The president's performance satisfaction significantly dropped to 30% in February 2025 — a 15-point decline from 45% in September 2024.
The president's performance satisfaction significantly dropped to 30% in February 2025 — a 15-point decline from 45% in September 2024.
WR Numero said this marks Marcos Jr.'s lowest rating since the beginning of his presidency in 2022.
WR Numero said this marks Marcos Jr.'s lowest rating since the beginning of his presidency in 2022.
Meanwhile, 43% of Filipinos gave the president a negative performance rating, with 27% remaining undecided.
Meanwhile, 43% of Filipinos gave the president a negative performance rating, with 27% remaining undecided.
The vice president's performance satisfaction rating also dropped to 41% in February against 47% last September.
The vice president's performance satisfaction rating also dropped to 41% in February against 47% last September.
The research firm also cited this as Duterte's lowest rating yet since her election in 2022, with almost three in every 10 Filipinos (29%) rating her performance unfavorably while 30% are unsure.
The research firm also cited this as Duterte's lowest rating yet since her election in 2022, with almost three in every 10 Filipinos (29%) rating her performance unfavorably while 30% are unsure.
The survey was done through face-to-face interviews with 1,814 Filipino adults nationwide with a ±2% margin of error and 95% confidence level.
The survey was done through face-to-face interviews with 1,814 Filipino adults nationwide with a ±2% margin of error and 95% confidence level.
SOLONS DISPUTE SURVEY RESULTS
Two congressmen disputed the result, with House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong and Manila City 3rd District Representative Joel Chua saying that there are other surveys showing the opposite.
Two congressmen disputed the result, with House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong and Manila City 3rd District Representative Joel Chua saying that there are other surveys showing the opposite.
"Kung titignan naman din natin ‘yung ibang surveys, SWS, OCTA Research, these are legitimate and well-established survey firms, nagsasabi naman sila na substantial number of Filipinos are in favor of the impeachment process," said Adiong.
"Kung titignan naman din natin ‘yung ibang surveys, SWS, OCTA Research, these are legitimate and well-established survey firms, nagsasabi naman sila na substantial number of Filipinos are in favor of the impeachment process," said Adiong.
"May survey din na nagsasabi na 73% ang pabor sa impeachment. So, siguro, tignan na lang natin kung ano talaga ‘yung totoong pulso. Pero, pag tayo naman ay nag-iikot sa mga distrito, naramdaman naman natin, marami rin naman ang nagbibigay ng suporta dito sa impeachment," added Chua, a member of the House prosecution panel.
"May survey din na nagsasabi na 73% ang pabor sa impeachment. So, siguro, tignan na lang natin kung ano talaga ‘yung totoong pulso. Pero, pag tayo naman ay nag-iikot sa mga distrito, naramdaman naman natin, marami rin naman ang nagbibigay ng suporta dito sa impeachment," added Chua, a member of the House prosecution panel.
Chua believes the public will have more basis for their opinion on the matter once the impeachment trial begins.
Chua believes the public will have more basis for their opinion on the matter once the impeachment trial begins.
For another House impeachment prosecutor, Bukidnon 2nd District Representative Jonathan Keith Flores, it is up to the senators, who will be sitting as impeachment court judges, to decide whether the surveys will be part of their consideration in deciding on the Articles of Impeachment.
For another House impeachment prosecutor, Bukidnon 2nd District Representative Jonathan Keith Flores, it is up to the senators, who will be sitting as impeachment court judges, to decide whether the surveys will be part of their consideration in deciding on the Articles of Impeachment.
But he hopes the merits will also be considered.
But he hopes the merits will also be considered.
"Of course it should be the merits. At alam mo na naman, everyone would be watching ano ang public sentiment. Kasi they're all politicians," said Flores.
"Of course it should be the merits. At alam mo na naman, everyone would be watching ano ang public sentiment. Kasi they're all politicians," said Flores.
Meanwhile, the House also assured that they will comply with the Supreme Court's directive for it to file a comment on the Vice President's petition seeking to stop her impeachment trial. Flores and Chua expressed optimism that the Supreme Court will not intervene in the impeachment process, asserting that the House of Representatives committed no grave abuse of discretion.
Meanwhile, the House also assured that they will comply with the Supreme Court's directive for it to file a comment on the Vice President's petition seeking to stop her impeachment trial. Flores and Chua expressed optimism that the Supreme Court will not intervene in the impeachment process, asserting that the House of Representatives committed no grave abuse of discretion.
"Well, impeachment kasi is really a political activity. And I think the Supreme Court will also respect that. Unless kung may grave abuse of discretion na makita sila. And that's the only time that the Supreme Court will actually intervene," said Flores.
"Well, impeachment kasi is really a political activity. And I think the Supreme Court will also respect that. Unless kung may grave abuse of discretion na makita sila. And that's the only time that the Supreme Court will actually intervene," said Flores.
-- with a report from Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
