71% want impeach ruling based on law, not politics

MANILA, Philippines — A majority of Filipinos want senators to be guided by law and evidence instead of political consideration when voting during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, a new survey by the OCTA Research group showed.

The poll, conducted from July 4 to 11, found that 71 percent want the senators to vote based on law and evidence.

Twenty-one percent said political considerations are important, eight percent said they do not know or refused to answer.

Although similar patterns were observed across geographic areas, a higher proportion of respondents in the Visayas and Mindanao (28 percent) selected political considerations, compared to those in Metro Manila (17 percent) and the rest of Luzon (16 percent).

“Public acceptance of the Senate’s decision may depend as much on the process as on the outcome. Filipinos appear to weigh how senators decide, not just what they decide. Acceptance of the verdict may hinge on whether the proceedings are seen as fair and evidence-based,” OCTA said.

“The findings reaffirm public expectations that democratic institutions should be guided by the rule of law. The strong preference for law and evidence signals that Filipinos expect institutions to act within due process, even amid polarization. Confidence rises when decisions are seen as principled, not expedient,” it added.

The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent.