A new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by the Stratbase Group shows that most Filipinos agree that former President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for the killings related to illegal drugs during his administration, Stratbase said in a news release Monday.
The survey was conducted from September 24-30, 2025.
This sentiment comes just as the International Criminal Court (ICC) denied Duterte’s request for interim release from detention in The Hague.
The Third Quarter 2025 SWS Survey found that 50% of Filipinos agree that Duterte should face accountability for the drug war deaths.
Meanwhile, 32% disagreed, 15% were undecided, and 4% said they didn’t know enough to give an opinion.
The nationwide poll interviewed 1,500 adult Filipinos and has a ±3% margin of error.
Stratbase Group President Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit said that the survey underscores the growing public recognition that accountability must prevail regardless of political power.
“The data clearly show that Filipinos believe justice and rule of law are essential foundations of our democracy,” Manhit shared. “People understand that no one, not even a former president, should be above the law.”
Support for accountability was highest in the Visayas (54%) and Metro Manila (53%), followed by Balance Luzon (52%).
Only 39% in Mindanao agreed, which is a known bailiwick of the Dutertes.
By age, agreement was strongest among Filipinos aged 55 and above (62%), middle-aged Filipinos or those aged 45 to 54 (52%), millennials aged 35 to 44 (45%), and Gen Z respondents aged 18 to 24 (43%).
Across socio-economic groups, class ABC registered the highest support at 54%, followed by class D (50%) and class E (45%).
The survey findings coincide with the ICC’s recent decision rejecting Duterte’s appeal for interim release while awaiting trial for alleged crimes against humanity related to the Philippine government’s anti-drug campaign.
In its ruling, ICC judges said Duterte’s continued influence in Philippine politics and the risk of witness interference or flight outweighed humanitarian considerations cited by his lawyers, who had pointed to his age and health condition.
For Manhit, the survey results show an important shift from popularity to responsibility. “
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,” Manhit emphasized.
“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.