41% of Filipinos Say VP Sara Duterte Is Not Guilty; Just 32% Say Guilty

A nationwide Pulso Intelligence survey finds the public leaning toward acquittal as the impeachment trial proceeds, even as trust in President Marcos falls to net –52 while the Vice-President’s holds flat.

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A plurality of Filipinos believe Vice-President Sara Duterte is not guilty of the charges in her impeachment trial, according to a nationwide survey by Pulso Intelligence Labs, Inc. of 2,067 adults conducted 19 to 22 July 2026. Asked directly, 41% say she is not guilty, 32% say she is guilty, and 27% are unsure.

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The trial appears to be costing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. more than the official on trial. Since the proceedings began, trust in the President has fallen to a Net Trust Change of –52, with half of adults (49.6%) saying they trust him “much less.” Over the same period, trust in the Vice-President has held essentially flat, at net +1.

Asked, without prompting, who else should be held accountable, more than a third of Filipinos (37%) named President Marcos, over eight times the share naming any other figure.

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On the merits, 40% say the impeachment complaint has legal and factual basis against 32% who say it does not (net +8.4). Looking to 2028, 45% would consider voting for the Vice-President for national office, rising to 72% in Mindanao. Only about a fifth of Filipinos (21%) trust the Senate to handle the trial fairly.

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K E Y F I G U R E S

• 41% say VP Sara Duterte is not guilty; 32% say guilty; 27% unsure.
• 40% say the impeachment complaint has basis; 32% say it does not (net +8.4).
• –52 Net Trust Change for President Marcos; half (49.6%) trust him “much less” since the trial began.
• +1 Net Trust Change for VP Duterte — effectively flat.
• 37% spontaneously name President Marcos as also accountable (about 8× the next-most-named figure).
• 45% would consider voting for VP Duterte in 2028; 72% in Mindanao versus 29% in Luzon.
• ‍21% trust the Senate to handle the trial fairly.‍
• 77% follow the trial mainly on social media; just 26% on newspapers.
  

“The public is leaning toward acquittal, but the sharper movement is around the President, not the accused. Since the trial began, trust in President Marcos has fallen steeply while the Vice-President’s has held steady, and when Filipinos are asked who else bears responsibility, it is the President they name.”

Abraham Eleazar D. Quintos, Chief Executive Officer, Pulso Intelligence Labs, Inc.

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About this report

This report presents the findings of a nationwide Pulso Intelligence survey on the impeachment trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte. It is published for the general public. The summary above sets out the headline results; the full findings, including every question asked, the response distributions, and the regional and demographic breakdowns, follow in the pages after it. The methodology and the firm’s independence statement appear at the end.

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How to read the figures

All percentages are based on 2,067 adults aged 18 and above, surveyed online from 19 to 22 July 2026, and are weighted to known population parameters so that the results reflect the national adult population. Where a figure is based on a subgroup rather than the whole sample, the base and its size are stated beneath the relevant table. Net scores subtract the share of negative responses from the share of positive ones, so they range from –100 to +100. Figures may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

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Use and attribution

These results may be reproduced, quoted, and disseminated freely, including by news organisations, researchers, students, and the general public, provided the findings are attributed to Pulso Intelligence Labs, Inc. and are not presented in a way that misstates them. The full report is available at www.pulsointelligence.com.

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About Pulso Intelligence

Pulso Intelligence Labs, Inc. (“Pulso Intelligence”) is an independent public opinion and market sentiment research firm, and the research arm of Geronimo Law. It maintains a verified respondent network of more than 1.6 million panel members across all 17 regions of the Philippines, and conducts socio-political and policy polling, brand and market research, and qualitative and deliberative studies.

This survey was designed, conducted, and funded solely by Pulso Intelligence Labs, Inc. No partisan group, candidate, political party, or commissioning interest influenced the survey or the reporting of its results.

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Inquiries

Pulso Intelligence Labs, Inc.

c/o Geronimo Law, 610 VGP Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Philippines

www.pulsointelligence.com

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