A recent OCTA Research survey released on Monday reveals that approximately three in four Filipinos favor putting Vice President Sara Duterte on trial in the Senate following her impeachment.
The poll, which surveyed 1,200 participants in late April, indicates that 74% of respondents believe Duterte should face a Senate trial to address the accusations against her. On the other hand, 21% are against the trial, and 4% remain unsure.
This marks an increase from March 2026, when support for the proceedings stood at 69%.
“These findings reflect public support for allowing the constitutional impeachment process to proceed — and should not be read as a judgment on guilt, conviction, or removal from office,” OCTA noted.
The research firm pointed out that approval for the trial is relatively steady across different social strata.
“Backing for an impeachment trial varies by only two percentage points across income groups: 74% among Class ABC, 75% among Class D, and 73% among Class E. Opposition is similarly uniform, ranging from 20% to 22% across all classes,” it said.
Geographically, however, public sentiment is more divided. The Visayas registered the strongest approval at 82%, with Metro Manila close behind at 81%, and the rest of Luzon at 77%.
Conversely, Mindanao—the traditional political bastion of the Dutertes—showed a lower approval rate of 58%, alongside a 41% opposition rate.
OCTA highlighted this area as a distinct exception, tying the pushback to regional loyalty toward the Duterte family.
“The April 2026 data show majority support for a Senate impeachment trial that is nationally consistent and crosses class lines — but that coexist with meaningful and regionally concentrated resistance, particularly in Mindanao,” the pollster said.
According to the Office of the Senate Secretary, the Vice President has until Monday to file her formal reply to the impeachment charges.
House prosecutors mentioned they are eagerly awaiting her response to the allegations. The House of Representatives previously impeached Duterte over several accusations, including graft and an alleged plot targeting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
As dictated by the Philippine Constitution, a Senate conviction requires at least 16 out of 24 votes, which would result in her ouster and a permanent disqualification from public office.
Duterte has previously announced her intention to run for president in 2028.