Study: Why Filipinos distrust Sara Duterte varies by income group

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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.