NEARLY half of Filipinos disagree with the House of Representatives' decision to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, according to the Philippine Public Opinion Monitor of WR Numero, a non-partisan public opinion research firm.
Conducted from February 10 to 18, 2025, through face-to-face interviews with 1,814 respondents aged 18 and older, the survey revealed that 47 percent opposed the impeachment, while 33 percent supported it and 20 percent remained undecided.
The impeachment move appeared to be particularly unpopular in Mindanao, where Duterte hails from, with 66 percent of respondents expressing disapproval and only 17 percent in favor. In contrast, Metro Manila showed strong support for the impeachment, with 48 percent agreeing with the decision.
The political turmoil surrounding Duterte has also impacted her public standing. Her satisfaction rating dropped by six percentage points, from 47 percent in September 2024 to 41 percent in February 2025.
The survey further indicated that three out of ten Filipinos viewed her performance unfavorably, while another 30 percent were uncertain—a record low since she assumed the vice presidency.
As the Senate prepares for Duterte’s impeachment trial, public opinion remains divided. About 43 percent of Filipinos expressed uncertainty about the outcome, while 34 percent believed she should be acquitted and 23 percent favored conviction.
In Mindanao, where Duterte enjoys strong support, more than half of respondents said the Senate should clear her of the charges, though 42 percent admitted they were unsure. Meanwhile, in Luzon and the Visayas, uncertainty prevailed, while in Metro Manila, opinions were split, with 37 percent favoring conviction, 32 percent advocating for acquittal, and 31 percent undecided.
Amid the unfolding political drama, many Filipinos believe that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. should stay neutral in the impeachment process. The survey found that 56 percent of respondents preferred the President to refrain from taking sides, while 24 percent wanted him to back Duterte’s acquittal. The remaining 20 percent thought he should support her impeachment.
Across all regions, a majority held the view that Marcos should remain impartial, with 57 percent in Luzon and Metro Manila, 56 percent in Visayas, and 53 percent in Mindanao sharing this sentiment.
Marcos’ satisfaction rating plunged by 15 percentage points, dropping from 45 percent in September 2024 to 30.1 percent in February 2025. Meanwhile, 43 percent of Filipinos rated his performance negatively, while 27 percent remained undecided. In Luzon and Metro Manila, 42 percent and 31 percent of respondents, respectively, viewed him favorably, but support was significantly lower in the Visayas and Mindanao, where only 17 percent expressed approval.
Dabawenyos on VP impeachment
For many Dabawenyos, the impeachment of Duterte is an issue of trust. Isagani Salizer, a 25-year-old resident of Maa, said many people oppose her removal because they believe in her leadership. He argued that those who seek to remove Duterte fear her capabilities, as she has demonstrated her strong principles and effective governance during her tenure as Davao City mayor.
“Kung baga tatak na sa akoa ba or sa akoa lang ba nga sila nindot mupadagan og bansa even mayor pa sila dire makita man ang results sa ilang leadership (It's like a trademark for me, or maybe just my personal opinion, that they are good at running a country. Even when they were just mayors here, you could already see the results of their leadership.),” he said.
Similarly, Hannah Doblas, 24, from Tibungco, said it was unsurprising that many Filipinos opposed the impeachment, given Duterte’s contributions not just to Davao City but to the entire country. She expressed strong disagreement with the attempt to remove the Vice President.
Not everyone sees it the same way. Dodong Gerolaga, a resident of Tugbok, believes that opinions on Duterte’s impeachment are largely shaped by social media influence. He noted that political loyalties, whether to the Dutertes or the Marcoses, often dictate public perception, making online narratives a powerful force in the unfolding debate.
Decreasing satisfaction
Meanwhile, the decline in Marcos’ approval ratings was seen as inevitable by some.
Salizer said that the excitement surrounding Marcos' presidency during the elections had quickly turned into disappointment. He argued that many Filipinos had hoped Marcos would be different from his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., but his leadership, especially in times of crisis, has shown weaknesses.
Doblas echoed this sentiment, calling Marcos’ policies ironic. She pointed out that despite his promises to lower prices, the cost of basic goods had continued to rise. In her view, his administration has failed to offer clear solutions to address the country’s economic problems.
Gerolaga, for his part, observed a complex dynamic at play between the public perception of Marcos and Duterte. He suggested that the Vice President’s relatively stable ratings might be one reason behind the President’s declining approval.
The House of Representatives voted to impeach Duterte on charges including violations of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. The impeachment complaint also alleged a conspiracy to assassinate President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is also the President’s cousin. RGP