MANILA, Philippines — The prosecution has gained a slight advantage over the defense in public opinion as the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte progre, according to the results of a non-commissioned Tangere survey conducted from July 7 to 10.
The survey found that 32 percent of respondents favored the prosecution's performance during the impeachment proceedings, while 30 percent backed the defense. Another 38 percent said they remained undecided or were withholding judgment as the trial continues.
The results suggest that while public opinion remains closely divided, more Filipinos are beginning to form views based on the evidence and arguments presented during the proceedings.
Regional responses, however, showed significant differences.
In Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, 33 percent favored the prosecution compared with 29 percent for the defense, while the remaining respondents were undecided.
Mindanao, meanwhile, leaned toward the defense, with 34 percent supporting Duterte's legal team against 27 percent for the prosecution.
The Visayas recorded the highest level of uncertainty, with 52 percent of respondents saying they had yet to decide. Among those who had formed an opinion, 25 percent favored the prosecution and 23 percent supported the defense.
The survey also found that political affiliation strongly influenced respondents' views.
Among Duterte supporters, who comprised 35 percent of the respondents, 60 percent favored the defense while 40 percent remained undecided.
Among supporters of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former vice president Leni Robredo and the Liberal Party, representing 38 percent of the sample, 60 percent backed the prosecution while the remaining 40 percent were undecided.
Politically neutral respondents accounted for 27 percent of those surveyed. Of this group, 62 percent said they had not yet decided which side had presented the stronger case. Among those who had taken a position, support was evenly split, with 19 percent each favoring the prosecution and the defense.
The survey likewise measured public opinion on Sen. Francis Escudero's performance as presiding officer of the impeachment court.
It found that 58 percent of respondents were satisfied with Escudero's handling of the proceedings, while 25 percent expressed dissatisfaction. The survey said dissatisfaction was largely driven by Duterte supporters.
The nationwide survey interviewed 1,200 respondents through a mobile-based application using stratified random quota sampling. It has a margin of error of ±2.77 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. The sample consisted of 12 percent respondents from the National Capital Region, 23 percent from Northern Luzon, 22 percent from Southern Luzon, 20 percent from the Visayas and 23 percent from Mindanao.
