SEVERAL Dabawenyos have expressed outrage over the administration’s decision to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigation of former President Rodrigo Duterte, citing a deep sense of betrayal and frustration.
Their reaction aligns with the findings of the Pahayag First Quarter Survey (PQ1-2025), conducted by Publicus Asia from March 15 to 20, 2025, which highlights a sharp decline in pro-administration sentiment and a surge in anti-government views, particularly in Mindanao.
Duterte’s political stronghold, Davao City, has become a focal point of discontent, with many residents condemning what they see as an unjust move against their former leader.
“We, as Dabawenyos, feel a sense of betrayal,” said one local business owner, who requested anonymity. “Duterte has been a hero for many of us here, and now sending him to face international trials feels like a slap in the face.”
Others echoed similar sentiments, arguing that Duterte only did what was necessary to protect the country and questioning why he is now being punished.
A former Barangay Maa councilor questioned the decision, saying, "Duterte did what he thought was necessary to protect the country. Why punish him now?" she said. "This is a betrayal of everything he stood for, and it feels like the government is washing its hands of the consequences of its policies."
“We’ve seen the positive changes Duterte brought to Davao, and now this move feels like a slap to our community,” said Milly Aguanta, a 29-year-old resident of Barangay Catalunan Pequeno. “We want justice, but this is not the way forward. It’s dividing the country more.”
Survey insights
The PQ1-2025 survey recorded a significant drop in pro-administration sentiment, falling from 28 percent in Q4 2024 to just 15 percent in Q1 2025—the steepest decline ever observed. Meanwhile, anti-administration sentiment surged from 30 percent to 45 percent, with Mindanao registering the highest proportion of anti-government views at 62 percent. In Davao City, this trend is evident, as many residents feel increasingly alienated by the national government’s actions.
Beyond political shifts, the survey also highlights growing dissatisfaction with the country’s overall direction. Forty-five percent of respondents now believe the country is on the wrong path, a sharp rise from 32 percent in the previous quarter. This sentiment is even more pronounced in Mindanao, where many attribute their concerns to the administration’s handling of key issues, including the Duterte case.
Weakening public confidence
Public confidence in the country’s economic future is also weakening. The survey found that 45 percent of respondents believe the nation is heading in the wrong economic direction, up from 32 percent last quarter. Additionally, optimism about personal finances has declined, with only 48 percent of respondents feeling positive about their household’s financial future—down from 60 percent in the previous quarter.
Mindanao, already grappling with economic struggles, has been hit particularly hard by these shifts. “We are already facing economic hardships here, and this decision just makes everything feel more uncertain,” said a local university professor.
Duterte’s ICC case
Duterte’s case before the ICC stems from his controversial war on drugs, launched in 2016. The campaign, which led to thousands of deaths according to human rights organizations, has been widely criticized for alleged extrajudicial killings. Despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, the court continued its investigation in 2021, citing credible evidence of crimes against humanity.
In 2025, the current administration decided to cooperate with the ICC, allowing the probe into Duterte’s actions to proceed.
The administration insists that sending Duterte to the ICC is a step toward upholding international justice and accountability. However, many in Davao City see it as an attack on the former president’s legacy and a betrayal of the trust placed in him by his supporters.
On March 28, millions of Filipinos worldwide paid tribute to Duterte, with gatherings held in over 230 locations across the country and abroad. In Davao alone, an estimated 350,000 supporters flocked to Freedom Park in Roxas to show their loyalty to the former president. The massive turnout underscores the deep political and emotional divide surrounding the ICC case, with pro-Duterte groups rallying in a strong show of solidarity. DEF