A majority of Filipinos want to wait for the evidence to be presented during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte before the Senate decides whether to convict or acquit her, according to a recent OCTA Research survey.
The July 2026 Tugon ng Masa (TNM) nationwide poll found that at least 55% of respondents preferred to see the evidence first before forming a final position on the impeachment case.
The survey also indicated that support for acquittal was strongest in Mindanao, while calls for conviction were more pronounced among the youngest respondents and those in older middle-age groups.
“First, a clear majority of Filipinos say it is still too early to decide and that they need to see the evidence presented during the trial,” the survey showed.
Twenty-one percent of respondents said they wanted the Senate to acquit Duterte and dismiss the allegations against her, while 17% favored conviction and removal from office. Another 7% either had no opinion or remained undecided.
“The results suggest that there is currently no significant public mandate for either conviction or acquittal,” OCTA Research said.
The polling organization said the findings indicate that most Filipinos are reserving judgment and want the evidence examined before the Senate reaches a final verdict.
“The results also suggest that most Filipinos are withholding judgment and place importance on the presentation and evaluation of evidence before a final decision is reached. Second, the preference to see the evidence first is broadly shared across geographic and demographic groups. This position leads in all four major geographic areas and across socioeconomic classes,” it also said, adding that the prevailing view is that the verdict should depend on the evidence presented during the trial.
OCTA Research conducted the July 2026 TNM survey from July 4 to 11 through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 probability respondents aged 18 and above, consisting of both men and women.
The nationwide survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. The margin of error for estimates covering the National Capital Region, Balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao is plus or minus 6 percentage points, also at a 95% confidence level.
The respondents were registered voters, including those who were undecided about voting, and were interviewed in person about current political, social and economic concerns, as well as personal and household matters.
The preference to examine the evidence before deciding was recorded in all major regions, with 56% in NCR, 58% in Balance Luzon, 53% in the Visayas and 48% in Mindanao.
Mindanao had the highest proportion favoring acquittal at 41%, while Balance Luzon registered the strongest preference for conviction at 22%.