The majority of Filipinos believe former president Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for the killings committed under his administration’s “war on drugs,” a new national survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed.
The survey, commissioned by the Stratbase Group, was conducted from Sept. 24 to 30, 2025, among 1,500 adults nationwide.
It found that 50 percent of Filipinos agree Duterte should face accountability for the drug war deaths, while 32 percent disagreed, 15 percent were undecided, and 4 percent said they did not know enough to give an opinion. The poll carries a ±3 percent margin of error.
The results were released just as the International Criminal Court (ICC) denied Duterte’s request for interim release from detention in The Hague, where he awaits trial for alleged crimes against humanity related to his government’s anti-drug campaign.
Strong support for accountability
According to the Stratbase Group, the findings underscore a growing belief among Filipinos that justice should apply equally to all, regardless of status or power.
“The data clearly show that Filipinos believe justice and rule of law are essential foundations of our democracy,” said Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit, president of Stratbase Group. “People understand that no one, not even a former president, should be above the law.”
Support for holding Duterte accountable was highest in the Visayas (54 percent) and Metro Manila (53 percent), followed by Balance Luzon (52 percent). In Mindanao, his known political stronghold, support was notably lower at 39 percent.
Older Filipinos showed the strongest agreement: 62 percent among those aged 55 and above, compared with 52 percent of those aged 45–54, 45 percent of those 35–44, and 43 percent of those aged 18–24.
By socio-economic class, class ABC registered 54 percent, followed by class D at 50 percent, and class E at 45 percent.
ICC weighs political influence, risk to witnesses
In rejecting Duterte’s appeal for interim release, the ICC said his continued influence in Philippine politics and the risk of witness interference or flight outweighed humanitarian considerations raised by his lawyers, who cited his age and health.
The court’s decision has been seen as a crucial step in ensuring accountability for the thousands of victims of the anti-drug campaign that left families seeking justice both domestically and abroad.
For Manhit, the survey results point to a shift in the public’s expectations of leadership.
“The Filipino people’s faith in accountability reflects our collective hope for a justice system that works, both at home and before the international community,” he said.
“This is not about vengeance and politics, but about truth, justice, and healing for thousands of families affected by the war on drugs,” he added.
From popularity to responsibility
Manhit said the data show a meaningful change in public sentiment — from the long-standing popularity of Duterte to a broader call for justice and responsibility.
“The survey results show an important shift from popularity to responsibility,” he said, emphasizing that the rule of law must remain the foundation of democracy.
