A July 2026 survey by OCTA Research revealed that 71% of Filipinos prefer senators to base their decision on law and evidence rather than political considerations during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.Conducted before the trial began, the survey aimed to capture public expectations regarding the integrity and fairness of the impeachment process.

The study, which interviewed 1,200 adults aged 18 and above, found that 71% of respondents emphasized legal and evidentiary standards over partisan issues.This reflects a strong public demand for due process and impartiality in judicial proceedings.The findings also highlight that support for evidence-based decisions is consistent across regions, socioeconomic classes, and demographic groups.

The survey underscores the importance of maintaining institutional fairness and transparency during the trial, setting a baseline for future public opinion tracking as the impeachment process unfolds.