Sara Duterte retains majority approval, trust in latest Pulse Asia survey

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 15, 2026

Photo courtesy: Reuters

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte maintained majority approval and trust ratings in September, despite slight declines from July, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey released Thursday, October 15.

The September 2026 Ulat ng Bayan survey found that 54% of Filipino adults approved of Duterte’s performance. Meanwhile, 27% disapproved, while 18% were undecided.

On public trust, 55% of respondents expressed confidence in the Vice President. Another 27% said they distrusted her, while 19% remained undecided.

Although both ratings declined, Pulse Asia found no statistically significant change in Duterte’s national approval and trust scores compared with July.

Duterte’s ratings remain stable

Duterte’s approval rating dropped from 56% in July to 54% in September, a two-percentage-point decline.

Her trust rating also fell by three percentage points, from 58% to 55%.

However, Pulse Asia said the changes were not statistically significant at the national level.

The Vice President continued to receive majority approval and trust among respondents, with particularly high ratings in Mindanao.

Mindanao records highest support

Duterte received her highest regional ratings in Mindanao, where 91% approved of her performance and 94% expressed trust.

In the Visayas, 58% of respondents approved of her work, while 57% said they trusted her.

Meanwhile, opinions were more divided in Metro Manila. Approval and disapproval both stood at 42%.

Trust ratings in the capital region also showed a narrow difference. About 43% expressed trust in Duterte, while 41% said they distrusted her.

In the rest of Luzon, 37% trusted the Vice President, compared with 38% who expressed distrust.

Ratings vary across income groups

The survey also examined Duterte’s ratings among different socioeconomic groups.

Among Class D respondents, 53% approved of her performance. Approval was higher among Class E respondents at 68%.

However, Pulse Asia recorded a statistically significant five-percentage-point decline in her trust rating among Class D respondents.

Despite the decline, 53% of respondents in this group continued to express trust in Duterte.

Survey conducted during impeachment trial

Pulse Asia conducted the nationwide survey from September 17 to 24, 2026, through face-to-face interviews with 2,400 Filipino adults.

The poll has a margin of error of ±2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level for national estimates. Regional estimates carry a margin of error of ±4 percentage points.

The survey period coincided with Duterte’s ongoing impeachment trial before the Senate.

During September, the impeachment court heard testimony and arguments concerning allegations against the Vice President, including questions surrounding her finances.

Duterte has denied the allegations.

The survey measured public approval of her performance and trust in her as Vice President. It did not establish whether the impeachment proceedings directly influenced respondents’ opinions.