Survery shows more Filipinos back Duterte impeachment

National

A RECENT survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) in collaboration with Stratbase Group reveals that 41 percent of Filipinos support the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The survey, which took place from December 12 to December 18, 2024, showed that 35 percent of respondents opposed the impeachment, while 19 percent were undecided, and 5 percent had insufficient knowledge about the issue.

Support for impeachment was notably strong in Luzon outside Metro Manila, where 50 percent of respondents endorsed the move.

In Metro Manila, 45 percent expressed support, while Mindanao showed the most opposition, with 56 percent against the impeachment.

The Visayas had the highest percentage of undecided respondents at 24 percent.

Also highlighted in the survey was a significant divide among socio-economic classes.

Support for impeachment was highest among the wealthier Classes ABC, where 50 percent were in favor, while opposition was strongest in Class E, where 36 percent disagreed.

A notable percentage of respondents across all classes also expressed a lack of knowledge about the issue.

The survey results indicated that the primary concern for those supporting the impeachment was the unexplained spending of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, with 46 percent of respondents citing it as a key issue.

Other concerns included Duterte’s refusal to cooperate with investigations into these funds, accusations of ill-gotten wealth, and threats to the lives of prominent figures, including President Marcos.

Other allegations against Duterte included her alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings, her failure to condemn China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea, and her controversial trip to Germany during Typhoon Carina’s onslaught.

The survey, which involved 2,160 respondents, has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.(CMM)