Half of adult Filipinos say the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte gives the right consideration to both sides. But when asked about the lawyers, more people were satisfied with how the defense is doing its job than with the prosecution, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on October 28, 2026.
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What the survey found
SWS asked respondents how satisfied they were that each side’s lawyers are handling the case “in a just manner.” The question does not measure whether the Vice President is guilty.
On the prosecution, 30% were satisfied and 35% were dissatisfied, for a net satisfaction score of -5. Another 36% were undecided.
On the defense of Vice President Duterte by her lawyers, 47% were satisfied and 24% were dissatisfied, for a net satisfaction score of +23. Another 29% were undecided.
Net satisfaction is the share of people satisfied minus the share dissatisfied. All net scores in this article are SWS’s own figures.
Is the trial fair?
In the first part of the same survey, released on October 22, 2026, SWS asked what people think of the ongoing trial. Half (50%) said it has the right consideration for both sides. Another 18% said it is too liberal with the Vice President’s lawyers, and 17% said it is too liberal with the prosecutors. The remaining 15% gave no opinion.
Done before three charges were dropped
The survey was conducted from September 21 to 27, 2026, before the House prosecution dropped three of the four articles of impeachment. On October 13, 2026, the Senate impeachment court granted the prosecution’s motion, leaving only Article II, on alleged unexplained wealth.
Compared with past impeachment trials
SWS has measured two earlier impeachment trials. During the trial of then-President Joseph Estrada (December 2000 and January 2001) and of then-Chief Justice Renato Corona (March 2012), net satisfaction with the prosecution ranged from +19 to +39. Net satisfaction with the defense ranged from +25 to +38.
The -5 for the prosecution in September 2026 is the lowest of the three trials. SWS notes that, except during the Corona trial, net satisfaction was always lower with the prosecution than with the defense. The question wording differed slightly from year to year, and SWS compares the results directly.
By area
Results differ by area, where the margins of error are larger: ±4% for Balance Luzon and ±6% each for Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao.
Net satisfaction with the defense ranged from +48 in Mindanao to +6 in Metro Manila, with +27 in the Visayas and +14 in Balance Luzon. Net satisfaction with the prosecution ranged from +4 in Balance Luzon to -15 in Metro Manila and the Visayas, with -8 in Mindanao.
The accusations
For each of the four accusations against the Vice President, more respondents said they did not believe it than said they did:
- Misuse of a total of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education: 29% believe, 38% do not.
- Unexplained wealth that was not fully declared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN): 25% believe, 38% do not. This is the only accusation still in the trial.
- Bribery of Department of Education officials in connection with procurement irregularities: 27% believe, 39% do not.
- A threat to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez assassinated: 23% believe, 44% do not.
From 26% to 30% were undecided on each accusation, and 7% had not heard or read about it.
Testifying and accepting the verdict
Seventy-eight percent said it is important for Vice President Duterte to testify personally to answer and explain all allegations against her. Fifteen percent said it is not important.
Asked whether the Senate’s decision should be accepted whether she is acquitted or convicted, 51% agreed, 26% disagreed and 24% were undecided.
What happens next
The defense is scheduled to begin presenting its evidence when the trial resumes on November 9, 2026. The survey reflects public opinion, not a verdict. The Senate, sitting as the impeachment court, decides the case.
About the survey
The Third Quarter 2026 Social Weather Survey was conducted from September 21 to 27, 2026, through face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide: 600 in Balance Luzon and 300 each in Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao. The margin of error is ±3% for national figures. SWS says the items were not commissioned and were released as a public service.
Mga Resibo (Sources)
- Social Weather Stations, “SOCIAL WEATHER REPORT | Net satisfaction with the prosecution of the impeachment case at -5, with the defense of Vice President Sara Duterte at +23,” October 28, 2026 (PDF).
- Social Weather Stations, “SOCIAL WEATHER REPORT | 42% of adult Filipinos follow closely the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte,” October 22, 2026, Chart 4 (PDF).
- 1987 Constitution, Article XI, Section 3(6): the Senate has the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment.
From a news report: Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 6, 2026, on the prosecution and defense teams entering their appearance (used only to identify the lawyers pictured).
Photos (public domain, via Wikimedia Commons): Office of the Vice President (2022); Senate of the Philippines (Senate Social Media Unit); Office of Sen. Kiko Pangilinan.