Study: Why Filipinos distrust Sara Duterte varies by income group
MANILA, Philippines—As the Senate prepares for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, new survey data suggest public distrust toward her is not driven by the same concerns across income groups.
An analysis by Inquirer data scientist Dr. Rogelio Alicor Panao of Pulse Asia’s Feb. 27-March 2, 2026, survey found that while corruption remains the dominant reason for distrust across classes, poorer Filipinos and middle-income respondents diverge on what troubles them next.
“Across all groups, corruption (‘Corrupt / Sangkot sa korapsyon’) is the dominant reason for distrust,” Panao said in his analysis, citing figures from the Pulse Asia survey.
The survey showed corruption was cited by 59.4 percent of ABC respondents, 47.8 percent of Class D respondents and 60.3 percent of Class E respondents as the main reason for distrusting Duterte.
But beyond corruption, Panao, who is a professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, said the patterns begin to shift.
“Among middle- and upper-income respondents (ABC) and the lower middle class (D), the second most cited reason for distrust is her perceived hostility toward the administration, such as attacking or threatening government officials (‘naninira/nagbabanta sa mga nasa administrasyon/kaaway’),” he said.
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The survey recorded 24.2 percent among ABC respondents and 20.9 percent among Class D respondents citing this concern.
Among lower-income Filipinos, however, the issue was different.
“In contrast, among lower-income respondents (Class E), the second most cited reason is a perceived lack of governing capability (‘kulang ang kakayanan sa pamamahala’), 26.3 percent,” Panao said.
The analysis also found concerns about Duterte’s governing competence were “virtually absent” among ABC and Class D respondents, while concerns related to political aggression toward the administration were minimal among Class E respondents at 3 percent.
Panao said the data point to differing political lenses shaped partly by economic conditions.
“First, the narrative of Sara Duterte as a destabilizing political actor appears to have gained traction primarily among middle- and upper-income groups, but far less so among poorer Filipinos,” he said.
“Second, distrust among lower-income respondents is more strongly anchored on questions of administrative competence rather than political behavior.”
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The findings come as political tensions continue to rise following the House of Representatives’ transmission of the articles of impeachment against Duterte to the Senate.
Despite the impeachment proceedings, Duterte has continued to post relatively high trust and approval ratings in recent national surveys.
Panao said the class divide in distrust patterns may carry implications for both Duterte’s allies and critics as the impeachment process unfolds.
“The middle class needs reassurance she is not a threat to stability. The poor need evidence she can govern,” he said.
At the same time, he said critics seeking broader public traction may need to frame their arguments differently depending on the audience.
“To build broader traction, opponents must connect corruption to incompetence, the poor’s language of assessment,” Panao said.
How these competing narratives shape public opinion may become more apparent as the Senate takes up the impeachment case. /dm
