A recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey reveals that 41 percent of Filipinos back the potential impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
However, a majority of respondents from Mindanao, the Duterte family’s stronghold, disagreed with the impeachment complaints filed in the House of Representatives.
The survey, conducted between December 12 and 18, 2024, and released by consultancy firm Strabase, shows that 19 percent of Filipinos remain undecided, while 35 percent oppose the move.
The impeachment complaints stem from allegations of misuse of confidential funds and growing tensions between Duterte’s family and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his allies.
The highest support for impeachment was found in Balance Luzon, where 50 percent of respondents favored the move, 18 percent were undecided, and 25 percent opposed it.
In contrast, 56 percent of respondents from Mindanao rejected the complaints, with 22 percent in support and 18 percent undecided.
In the Visayas, 40 percent supported impeachment, while 33 percent opposed it, and 24 percent were undecided.
Support for impeachment was strongest among the higher socioeconomic classes, particularly Classes ABC (50 percent), while Class E showed the least support at 37 percent.
CONFIDENTIAL FUNDS AS KEY ISSUE
The issue of confidential funds was cited by 46 percent of respondents as a major reason for impeachment, while 24 percent pointed to Duterte’s threats against President Marcos.
The survey, which included 2,160 respondents, has a margin of error of ±2 percent.
As of last week, the three impeachment complaints against Duterte were still with the Office of the House Secretary General, undergoing verification. A recommendation from the legal team is expected soon.
CALLS TO ACCELERATE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS
On Wednesday, some complainants and supporters of the impeachment called on Congress to act promptly, emphasizing that addressing the complaints is a moral duty. Sister Ma. Liza Ruedas, a filer of one of the complaints, urged lawmakers to take action, stating, “This is a moral obligation to the people.”
ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, a House deputy minority leader and endorser of the second complaint, led a meeting with complainants, during which they agreed to hold a joint press conference and issue a statement supporting the impeachment.
Various groups are also planning mobilizations to urge Congress to process the complaints urgently, hoping to reach the Senate before the session adjourns next month.