71% of Filipinos want impeachment ruling based on law, not politics: OCTA poll

MANILA, Philippines — A majority of Filipinos want senators to be guided by law and evidence instead of political considerations 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. In the context of Philippine politics, impeachment trials are always under public scrutiny. When a high-ranking political figure like the Vice President is involved, the verdict not only carries political weight but also directly impacts public trust in the rule of law. This survey's findings indicate a strong public demand for fair procedures based on law and evidence over political maneuvering, which may influence future political discourse and judicial decisions.