Popularity is not a verdict
The findings suggest that the public’s assessment of the Vice President’s political standing does not necessarily reflect a fully informed judgment of the allegations against her.
Vice President Sara Duterte’s continuing popularity presents a political reality that her critics cannot afford to dismiss and her supporters should not mistake for vindication.
The latest Pulse Asia survey places her approval rating at 54 percent and her trust rating at 55 percent, even as she faces an impeachment trial that could determine her political future.
In hypothetical presidential matchups for 2028, she also leads her potential rivals, including Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and Senator Raffy Tulfo. These figures affirm her standing as a formidable political contender, but they do not tell the whole story.
For one, the numbers represent a slight decline from July, when Duterte enjoyed approval and trust ratings of 56 percent and 58 percent, respectively.
The changes are modest, but they remind us that public opinion is not fixed. Neither should a strong showing in a hypothetical presidential race be mistaken for a guaranteed victory nearly two years before election day.
More revealing is what Filipinos say about the impeachment proceedings themselves. A slim majority, or 51 percent, believe Duterte should personally testify before the Senate impeachment court. Yet 59 percent of respondents said they had little or almost no knowledge of the case, while 41 percent reported having sufficient or a great deal of knowledge.
The findings suggest that the public’s assessment of the Vice President’s political standing does not necessarily reflect a fully informed judgment of the allegations against her. This distinction matters as the impeachment proceedings enter a new phase.
On 13 October, the Senate impeachment court approved the prosecution’s withdrawal of three of the four articles against Duterte, leaving the unexplained wealth allegations as the remaining issue for the court to resolve. The defense did not object to the withdrawal, but argued that it was denied the chance to answer the allegations already aired during the proceedings.
The Senate must now ensure that the remaining proceedings are conducted fairly and that its eventual judgment rests on evidence and the law, not political calculations or public sentiment. The withdrawal of charges does not establish guilt, just as popularity does not establish innocence. Due process must be protected regardless of the identity or political influence of the person on trial.
It is tempting to interpret Duterte’s continued popularity as proof that Filipinos have grown indifferent to accountability. That would be an unfair and potentially dangerous conclusion. Voters may have different reasons for supporting her, including political loyalties, regional affiliations, dissatisfaction with the administration, or their own assessment of the controversy. Understanding these motivations requires more than expressing disbelief at the survey results.
But neither should political loyalty become a reason to abandon scrutiny. Public officials exercise powers entrusted to them by the people. They must be prepared to answer legitimate questions about their decisions, their use of public resources and their fulfillment of their duties.
Ultimately, the question is not whether Duterte remains popular. The numbers have answered that. The more important question is whether our political institutions can uphold accountability without sacrificing fairness, and whether voters will demand both from those who seek to lead them.
Popularity is a political advantage, not a verdict. Accountability, meanwhile, is not a matter of popularity at all. It is an obligation of public office.